Development of Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap
Identifying high-priority research opportunities for advancing natural gas vehicle technologies
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Recipient
Golden, CO
Recipient Location
$313,000
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The 2015 Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap (CEC-500-2015-091-CMF) has been published to the Energy Commission website after a public workshop to solicit feedback was conducted. A standalone feasibility assessment has been developed to analyze the potential of using liquefied natural gas to fuel marine vessels and locomotives operating at California's ports. Staff is reviewing the assessment prior to publication.
The final roadmap is available online at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2015publications/CEC-500-2015-091/CEC-500-2015…
The Issue
The first Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap (CEC-500-2008-044-F) was developed in 2008 to provide guidance for strategic research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) needed to improve the viability of the natural gas vehicle market in California. The roadmap provided a solid foundation for prioritizing RDD&D opportunities; however, revision to the roadmap is needed to stay current with changes in the natural gas vehicle industry. A revision to the Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap will facilitate progress and ensure we achieve the goals of the roadmap in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
Project Innovation
This project resulted in a revised research roadmap for natural gas vehicle and fueling infrastructure technology identifying the state of knowledge, research gaps, and recommended research pathways that remove barriers to deploying natural gas vehicle technology and fueling infrastructure.
Project Benefits
Using natural gas as a transportation fuel will demonstrate reductions in petroleum consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution, and operating costs for businesses and consumers. As a transportation fuel, natural gas could offset over 885 million gallons of gasoline and diesel per year by 2022, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4.4 million metric tons per year and saving the state approximately $1.35 billion in fueling costs annually. Implementation of the roadmap will achieve these goals.
Economic Development
This project will develop and help bring to market advanced transportation technologies that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions beyond applicable standards. Advancements in natural gas vehicle technology guided by the research roadmap will increase competition in the vehicle market for cleaner, more efficient and more cost effective transportation strategies.
Environmental Sustainability
As a transportation fuel, natural gas could offset over 885 million gallons of gasoline and diesel per year by 2022; reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4.4 million metric tons per year, and saving the state approximately $1.35 billion annually in fueling costs. The roadmap will guide research efforts for advancement of natural gas technologies that will help California reach its air quality and climate change goals.
Reliability
The research roadmap will prioritize the most optimal natural gas vehicle RDD&D pathways to meet greenhouse gas, local air pollution, and petroleum consumption reduction targets for the benefit of California's natural gas ratepayers.
Key Project Members
