ATA Says Natural Gas Not Viable for Longhaul

Natural gas is not a viable alternative fuel for most longhaul trucking operations, but it could be an acceptable alternative fuel for some shorthaul carriers, American Trucking Associations told the Senate Energy Committee.

In a Nov. 10 written statement to the committee, ATA said that despite the lower cost of the fuel at the pump, there are some significant financial and operational challenges associated with the use of natural gas for many carriers.

Those challenges include the high cost of natural gas trucks, heavier tanks on natural gas trucks and the lack of a natural gas infrastructure across the United States, ATA said.