Up next, a Hybrid CNG. Hopefully running in the WRC.

You can read all about it here:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy00osti/27678.pdf

Given that the new 2007+ emissions diesels consume 10-25% more fuel for the same performance while costing $5-10k more I could see how LNG has some appeal. Diesel is still North of $4/gal in most parts, so the $1.50-2 gallon of diesel equivalent for LNG looks good right now.

PaulB:

With the excpetion of a few demo units of the the Peterbilt Hybrid 386 Wal Marts fleet is all International 9200s and ProStars.

Good one. I see you are a Pelosi fan.

It’s nice to know we have such bright national leaders.

Yeah, the fact that the story originates with a Pickens “weekly email” kinda says it all…

I really think wal-Mart was just foolin with him.
I myself have made hundreds of presentations.
Afterwards, I really felt high ’cause the buyers made me feel like I sold them …only to be confronted with reality later.

Its kind of the easy way to get you out of their office and building.
Just nod and smile….then laugh after the door shuts.

As part of the program they have a couple of hybrid diesel trucks on the road and are funding development with some of the major truck manufacturers for more improvements in aerodynamic trailers and new drivelines.

With the existing store network and fuel islands, it would not be a major investment for them to add CNG to the pumps islands and convert the fleet over a couple of years. When you

At least we know the Walmart will make the decision based on ECONOMIC sense, not touchy feely greenwashing.

There was a recent article in NYT where they said that new technologies are able to extract several times the amount of gas possible just a few years ago. With these new techniques the gas should be abundant for at least a few dozen years to come. In fact gas looks like the most realistic short to mid-term replacement for oil.

The old GM V8 is cheaper to drive than my old Civic, but is sucks and blows at the same time as far as performance goes. But who cares. It is a truck, and it costs pennies on the dollar to drive around. Cheap insurance too.

The CNG trucks work perfectly fine, but can’t go very far… which is not a problam since they are all part of a urban fleet anyway.

If Honda sold their Civic CNG here for the public, I would buy one for commuting.

Until then, in the summer, I am riding a Yamaha XT 250 when the sun is out.

If Wal-Mart does this be sure never to be behind one if their trucks on a slight incline.

(I know, I have a parent who is a UPS driver and I hear about ti all the time)

I don’t remember the speech that well, but I remember 2 sorority girls behind me say “Grey suit and brown shoes…yuck!”

Moments before he had just been introduced as “Billionaire, Oilman T Boone Pickens…”

It was at the point that I realized I needed to change majors – immediately. Hello Engineering Dept!

Now, every time I hear T. Boone’s name, Im going to imagine the Texas Millionaire Guy.

I find it hilarious that most people think T. Boone is doing this out of the goodness of his heart. He stands to make another gazillion dollars if he can get even a fraction of what he proposes.

I’m confused though as to how the retrofit would work and would it be economically feasible. AFAIK, gas engines can be easily converted (spark plugs to combust), but oil burners?

As opposed to our infinite resources? There is a shitload of natural gas in this country, maybe it isn’t such a bad idea to tap it. I have to look into the downsides before I’m convinced though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_gas_proven_reserves

How long before we burn through our supply of domestic natural gas and become dependent on Russia for our energy needs?

At least CNG is about the cleanest burning hydrocarbon in existence.