Some 1,800 vehicles in the state run on compressed natural gas, according to the Salt Lake Clean Cities Coalition.
Most are in commercial fleets and more are along the Wasatch Front, where the strongest refueling network is, said Beverly Miller, coalition coordinator.There are 14 stations that can refuel the vehicles along the Wasatch Front, with two in Utah County.
The high cost of vehicles that run on natural gas are keeping the alternative fuel vehicles in commercial fleets, but Miller predicts that they will become more popular for personal use.
Natural-gas cars are among the alternative vehicles being touted as a means to reduce air pollution. When natural gas burns, its exhaust consists of mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Early natural-gas vehicles were after-the-fact conversions that allowed the car to run with either natural gas or conventional fuels.
Darren Shepherd, Questar spokesman, said Chrysler now makes a van and car that are dedicated natural gas vehicles, while Ford has a truck, van and car that run on only natural gas. Honda just released a natural-gas version of the Civic. Chevrolet makes a truck and car that can run on either fuel.
Miller said the early conversions were lacking in power and efficiency, due to getting an engine to run on two different fuels, but she said that hurdle is being overcome.
"The emphasis is now on original-equipment-manufacturer designs that are ready to run on alternative fuels. That seems to help guarantee better performance," Miller said.
The price tag is still a bit high. Miller said the natural gas vehicles, such as the Ford Crown Victoria, run $5,000 more than their gasoline-burning cousins.
Miller said there are federal and state tax incentives for businesses to use the vehicles.
Questar, the Salt Lake International Airport and Swire Coca-Cola have converted portions of their motor pools to alternative fuels.
Don Johnson, Swire distribution manager, said the company uses 10 pickup trucks and one heavy-duty truck that run on both fuels. Swire made the switch in 1994 for environmental reasons.
"The only problem we've experienced with natural gas is it loses a little power when you have a load," Johnson said.
However, it is saving the company money. Natural gas costs 69 cents a gallon, compared to $1.12 a gallon for gasoline. The trucks consume the fuels at about the same rate, Johnson said.