The search for alternative fuels continues as gasoline prices begin another upward trend. Commercial entities as well as consumers are looking for other means of powering their vehicles. Everything from hydrogen to solar energy is under consideration. An alternative fuel that seems to have promise is compressed natural gas or CNG. CNG consists of mostly methane pressurized to more than 3,000 pounds per square inch.

Compressed natural gas has a lot of advantages over gasoline. The problem with CNG is that no one is willing to make the investment to start building and marketing CNG-powered vehicles to households. Right now, CNG vehicles are more prevalent for commercial, municipal, and government organizations around the world. At the height of the gasoline crisis in the summer of 2008, gasoline was selling at $4.12 a gallon. This tremendous expense spurred renewed interest in CNG. As gasoline fell to below $2.00 a gallon later that year, the interest also fell.

Research and development of CNG is still ongoing, but progress is slow. The advantages of CNG simply don't justify the expense of investment in production of CNG vehicles for households – however, this is changing rapidly and many car manufacturers are researching how to mass produce CNG cars.

Here are some advantages of CNG:

-Smog-producing pollutants are reduced by as much as 60-90%

-CNG is 50% cheaper than gasoline

-87% of all natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in the United States

The only CNG vehicle available at this time is the Honda Civic GX CNG. This car is severely limited, however, by the lack of retail fueling stations. The decreased fuel efficiency is also a disadvantage. Honda has also conceded that the Civic GX CNG does not have as much resale value as other vehicles. Whatever the decision, CNG y has a long way to go before it can be taken seriously as a legitimate alternative for households. CNG has plenty advantages, but it is not yet to the point of true competition.

However, companies like Earthtech a trash and recycling company in New Jersey have converted their fleet of trucks to CNG. Households, municipalities and government organizations have responded positively by giving them their business because of the commitment they’ve shown to the environment and their goal of being a green company.