alternative fuel vans

[bigjohn79]

Dose any one know of a alternative to gas guzzling vans yet,

I don't think it would work for all companys, but if someone came out with a service van that worked off of natural gas and put fueling stations at parts houses I bet they would make millions.

you would think parts houses would be eager to install them because it would guarantee customers stop in and spend.

What do you think of the Idea??

anyone heard of something better??

the company I work for has about 25-30 guys in a van I alone spent over 4,000 on gas this year assume we all did thats at least 100,000 just on fuel.

Not to mention the customers you would gain from the whole save the earth movement that has been building momentum.

[jl1]

That's a hard sell on alternative fuel vehicles. As long as you can fuel on almost any street I don't believe people will buy the alternative fuels. Besides there not all their made out to be. Mileage sucks on CNG, you get gouged on parts and not many mechanics can or will work on them.

[k-fridge]

I'm trying to develop one that will run on farts. I have a couple of techs that could run one all day on a "fill up" from Taco Bell.

[oloenneker]

I'm trying to develop one that will run on farts. I have a couple of techs that could run one all day on a "fill up" from Taco Bell.

Hey, back off pal!! I already hold the patent for that. If you infringe, you'll get a taste of my attorney.


But seriously, I run Bio Diesel in my work van. So far so good.

There are companies that do CNG conversions on regular gasoline engines, but you loose space some where in the interior because the tank needs to be mounted somewhere. It has to be a cylinder, so it will not fit where the stock tank is located. The problem with Natural gas, is that there is virtually no Nat Gas production in the US. We import a huge amount from Russia.

[James 3528]

Your customers should be buying your gas. Are they looking for a "alternative" HVAC guy?

[Collin]

The problem with Natural gas, is that there is virtually no Nat Gas production in the US. We import a huge amount from Russia.

Huh?

Try Canada.

[James 3528]

Huh?

Try Canada.

Weird eh? The US has huge natural gas production in the Gulf and in a half dozen states and a estimated 200 year supply.

[markettech]

Dose any one know of a alternative to gas guzzling vans yet,

I don't think it would work for all companys, but if someone came out with a service van that worked off of natural gas and put fueling stations at parts houses I bet they would make millions.

you would think parts houses would be eager to install them because it would guarantee customers stop in and spend.

What do you think of the Idea??

anyone heard of something better??

the company I work for has about 25-30 guys in a van I alone spent over 4,000 on gas this year assume we all did thats at least 100,000 just on fuel.

Not to mention the customers you would gain from the whole save the earth movement that has been building momentum.

Looks more like yet another opportunity for unproductive time to me.

"Yeah Boss, I just gotta run up to the wholesaler and fuel up (and spend some of your money frivolously while I'm there on crap I don't need in my truck)(and stand around BSing with my buds) quick, and I'll be right on my way out to the jobsite."

Now, you live in Milwaukee with what, 80 wholesalers in a 3 block radius? What about the poor guy in Tiny Town, USA that drives 100 miles to get to the wholesale house?..........he'd have to just keep circling the parts house all day.

I have no ideas right now, but if you come up with more, let me know.......I'm taking notes.

[bigjohn79]

Looks more like yet another opportunity for unproductive time to me.

"Yeah Boss, I just gotta run up to the wholesaler and fuel up (and spend some of your money frivolously while I'm there on crap I don't need in my truck)(and stand around BSing with my buds) quick, and I'll be right on my way out to the jobsite."

Now, you live in Milwaukee with what, 80 wholesalers in a 3 block radius? What about the poor guy in Tiny Town, USA that drives 100 miles to get to the wholesale house?..........he'd have to just keep circling the parts house all day.

I have no ideas right now, but if you come up with more, let me know.......I'm taking notes.

I didn't say it was a good idea.

but I still think it could work. Not for everyone sure, but for us city boys.

I stop in a parts house at least twice a week as it is. Dont carry many parts anyway, mostly tools a few igniter's and filter driers and stuff but mostly if I need something it will involve a trip to a parts house on the customers dollar.

I'm kind of a tree hugger, and want to save the earth in anyway possible, every little bit will help.

as far as service goes, our company is already contracted a company to service our vehicles in the field anyway. when I need oil change or any repair I call a company who has a guy come out and work on my truck on the job that I am working on so I dont loose any time. so as long as they were proficient in servicing a alternative fuel van it would work.

one thing is sure, gas is not going to get cheaper, and we will run out someday probably in my lifetime. maybe not completely but there wont be gas burning cars like we have now. The E-85 deal is a cop out from the real problem. It is a start for sure, but not the answer.

[Educate#1]

I can see that your intentions are well placed. The market for alt fuel vehicles is obviously getting bigger. I personally would not tap into the market yet with a fleet of service vans for two reasons: 1st being reliability and quick serviceability is still on the shaky side, and 2nd the upfront and service costs are too high for a vehicle that a business owner would allow an employee to drive. (An employee that respects a service vehicles life and maintenance is rare at best)



Quote: The only dumb Question is the one not asked

[amd]

Weird eh? The US has huge natural gas production in the Gulf and in a half dozen states and a estimated 200 year supply.

15% of your natural gas comes from Canada, which happens to be 50% of Canada’s production.

North American natural gas production peaked in the 1970s - 1980s, meaning that 50% of the supply has already been consumed. Try 20-30 years.

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Natural gas is essentially yesterday's solution to today's problems; what's left of the resource should be used in heating equipment, not pissed away in <25% efficient internal combustion engines and <40% efficient power plants.

Biodiesel on the other hand is a pipe dream promoted by agricultural lobby groups and fanatical “environmentalists”. It is essentially a net energy looser once you consider how much fuel must be burned to produce and process the crops, and there isn't nearly enough land to even cover 20% of the current diesel demand.

[Educate#1]

[QUOTE=amd;1622172]15% of your natural gas comes from Canada, which happens to be 50% of Canada’s production.

North American natural gas production peaked in the 1970s - 1980s, meaning that 50% of the supply has already been consumed. Try 20-30 years. Quote

-------------------------------------------------------------

Natural gas is essentially yesterday's solution to today's problems; what's left of the resource should be used in heating equipment, not pissed away in <25% efficient internal combustion engines and <40% efficient power plants. Quote

I am often appalled by the blatant miss use of the World natural gas supply in the US. Through out a substantial portion of our country a complex and effective distribution system has bee set up to supply NG fuel to heating systems for structures. Quickly, efficiently, and effectively.
The fact of the matter is that, the more we piss away with inefficient methods of usage, the more we destroy options for our and our youth’s future. Quick question? How many of you know what percentage of the US’s power is produced utilizing our dwindling NG stores/ supply? Look it up, it F---ing Stupid and foolish.

[James 3528]

15% of your natural gas comes from Canada, which happens to be 50% of Canada’s production.

North American natural gas production peaked in the 1970s - 1980s, meaning that 50% of the supply has already been consumed. Try 20-30 years.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Natural gas is essentially yesterday's solution to today's problems; what's left of the resource should be used in heating equipment, not pissed away in <25% efficient internal combustion engines and <40% efficient power plants.

Biodiesel on the other hand is a pipe dream promoted by agricultural lobby groups and fanatical “environmentalists”. It is essentially a net energy looser once you consider how much fuel must be burned to produce and process the crops, and there isn't nearly enough land to even cover 20% of the current diesel demand.

Estimated, no one knows for a fact. So who was more wrong. Olewanker who said there is virtually no NG production in the US or me?