FPinnovations

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Will the price of natural gas increase?

Although predicting the future is a tenuous proposition at best, the likelihood is that NG prices will rise. However this 

is not expected to occur within the lifetime of the first trucks adopting natural gas, as demand is low for natural gas 

and supply is high. Conditions for rising gas prices will not occur rapidly.

Will natural gas trucks decrease in price?

Significant price reductions are unlikely in the next five years, but perhaps within the next decade prices will decrease 

as more trucks are built and the cost of storage vessels become less due to improvements in manufacturing 

technology.

What is CNG?

Compressed natural gas, or methane, is compressed to 200bar or 2,900psi and has an energy density 9.3 MJ/L or 

300 times that of natural gas at atmospheric pressure.

What is LNG?

Liquefied natural gas is super-cooled to -162°C and has an energy density 22.4 MJ/L or 600 times that of natural gas 

at atmospheric pressure.

Can my natural gas truck use both LNG and CNG?

No. The storage vessels are radically different. CNG storage vessels are typically made of high pressure capacity 

carbon fibre construction, whereas LNG storage vessels are resistant to extreme cold, and have dual wall 

construction with a vacuum sealed chamber between the tanks’ inner and outer layers – much like a thermos used for 

hot beverages.

Will LNG trucks meet my heavy trucking needs?

Currently OEM offerings are limited to 475hp (354kW) and 1,750 lb-ft (2,373Nm) torque. This should be adequate for 

most fleets’ needs, with higher horsepower capable engines coming in the future. Fumigation systems of higher 

capacity are also offered by the aftermarket retrofit industry, but typically these are used in off-road industrial engines.

Will CNG trucks meet my light trucking needs?

Currently OEM offerings are limited to 400hp (298kW) and 1,450 lb-ft (1,898Nm) torque. This engine is best suited for 

trucks with a GVW of less than 80,000lbs (36,280 kg).

Should I wait to purchase an NG truck?
Incentives will not likely be repeated in the future and prices for equipment should not decrease in the foreseeable 

future. Early adopters will gain a competitive advantage in the market place, but smaller fleets will need to wait until 

infrastructure if built to service their needs.

Are natural gas trucks safe?

Natural gas trucks have proven to be safe in other parts of the world and employ several safety features. The fuel 

itself has many characteristics similar to other conventional motor fuels, with some distinct advantages, such as being 

lighter than air and non-toxic to water sources.

Do natural gas trucks weigh more than conventional diesel trucks?

Yes. Some trucks are marginally heavier, but other can be significantly heavier, be sure to check tare weight and how 

this affects the trucks payload. Some provinces, such as British Columbia have a 1,500kg weight allowance for 

natural gas trucks.

Can I run my natural gas truck on diesel?

This depends upon the technology used. Fumigation systems augment the fuel delivery system of a conventional 

gasoline or diesel engine; therefore these systems can revert to a diesel or gasoline fuel only mode of operation. 

CNG systems like the Cummins Westport system run solely on natural gas, whereas the Westport Innovations LNG 

HD475 engine can run diesel only, but with dramatically reduced power.

What happens if my truck runs out of natural gas?

As stated in the previous question, it will depend on the technology. A Westport CNG truck will need a tow truck if run 

out of fuel, whereas their LNG Westport HD475 engine can run on diesel only with dramatically reduced power. If 

such an engine were to run out of fuel while the truck was loaded, fuel would either need to be delivered to the truck 

(an unlikely scenario), the truck towed, or the load transferred to another truck and the truck then travel at reduced 

speed with no load.

What safety systems are employed on a natural gas truck?

Failsafe valves close in the event of lost power. Fuel vessels are durable with multiple layers and methane detectors 

are positioned under the hood and in the driver’s compartment.

What safety systems are employed at a LNG or CNG fuelling station?

Failsafe valves close in the absence of electrical power and pumps automatically shut off if an alarm is triggered. In 

addition, LNG tanks are placed in containment berms of 110% capacity. Pumps and tanks are protected from traffic 

impact.

Do I need specialized training to operate a natural gas truck?

Yes. The truck’s safe operation is covered by the OEM’s documentation, but currently not covered by specific 

provincial licensing requirements.
Do I need specialized training to fuel a natural gas truck?

Yes. In addition to proper personal protective equipment, fill station attendants and drivers who fill these trucks must 

be trained. This training can easily be accomplished in one day.

Is a natural gas truck more expensive to maintain?

Although there is very little data on maintenance cost the preliminary experience is that the maintenance cost is 

higher. Expect to pay approximately $0.01 more per kilometre in additional maintenance costs, with extended 

warranties to cover costly components being highly recommended.