Vehicles converted to run on natural gas produce 94 percent less carbon monoxide emissions, say Mountain Fuel Supply officials.
A test of 11 vehicles at the National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control in Fort Collins, Col., support claims that natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel. Mountain Fuel sponsored the tests.While officials expected positive results from the test, but the results were better than expected, said Roland Gow, environmental program coordinator for Questar Corp., Mountain Fuel's parent company.
Gow said the findings are significant for Utah where transportation is the largest source of air pollution. Four Wasatch Front counties - Davis, Salt Lake, Weber and Utah - currently do not meet one or more federal health standards involving carbon monoxide, particulate matter, ozone or sulfur dioxide.
The vehicles tested represented a variety of model years. All had been converted to run on either natural gas or gasoline within the last 18 months.
Test conditions were designed to mimic Salt Lake City's altitude.
The findings showed a 94 percent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, a 16 percent reduction in oxides from nitrogen, a 22 percent reduction in carbon dioxide and a 67 percent reduction in reactive hydrocarbons (which contribute to ground-level ozone formation).
Mountain Fuel has been working with local businesses to convert vehicle fleets to natural gas. Currently 414 Utah vehicles are using natural gas.