Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) are less expensive to operate and maintain than gasoline-fueled vehicles.

Natural gas on average costs about one-third less than gasoline at the pump.  As for diesel fuel, the U.S. Energy Information Agency reports that natural gas, on average, costs 42% less than diesel fuel on an energy equivalent basis and is expected to cost 50% less by 2035.

The cost of gasoline and diesel fuels are high-and kept high-because of our dependence on foreign resources and supplies. We're all too familiar with the scenario: another crisis in the Middle East, and the price of gasoline climbs steadily at the pump. The U.S. currently imports almost 70% of the oil we use. That leaves us dependent on the whims and agendas of foreign governments to determine what we pay to drive our gasoline- and diesel-fueled cars and trucks.

Because virtually all of the natural gas we use comes from North America, we can control our own destinies in regard to fuel supply for vehicles. An NGV may cost slightly more initially, either to buy or to convert an existing gasoline-fueled vehicle, but overall savings on fuel and maintenance can more than make up for it. NGVs also cost less to maintain over the long haul. Because the fuel burns cleanly, natural gas vehicles show significantly less engine wear. Spark plugs also last longer than with gasoline engines, and oil changes are needed less often.

To demonstrate the savings, on our Hummer Tour 2011 we're going to keep a log of our natural gas expenses as compared to the gasoline-fueled SUV used by our video crew. Check out our blog for updates. Go Natural Gas!