February 5, 2023. Sales of natural gas powered vehicles were mixed in the September to November time period, as published in the latest Alternative Fuels Quarterly by ACT Research. September activity surpassed its year-ago level by 29%, but both October and November lagged last year’s comparisons by 9%.
The ACT Alternative Fuels Quarterly provides insight, analysis, and trends about alternative fuel/power adoption for the US heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicle markets. It is designed to give quick insights to anyone with an interest in the evolution of power and alternative fuel use for heavy vehicles. The AFQ details such adoption considerations as fuel prices, fuel/charging infrastructure development, equipment prices/products/technological developments, and regulatory changes. Natural gas truck sales data and a forecast for new natural gas adoption are included.
“In the near term, results were even more volatile, with September gaining 12% m/m, October dropping 39% compared to the previous month, and November surging 45% sequentially,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “Quantifying activity, NG sales totaled 3,719 units in 2021 (+10% from 2020). Through the first 11 months of 2022, OEMs have sold 3,497 natural gas-powered Class 8 units.”
Regarding fueling and charging infrastructure, Tam commented, “There were 751 public compressed natural gas (CNG) stations open in the US in mid-December 2022, the vast majority of which can accommodate a heavy-duty vehicle. The liquefied natural gas (LNG) station count at the same period was 51, with all able to serve Class 8 vehicles.” He added, “This translates to 71 fewer public CNG station and 3 fewer public LNG station since mid-September 2022.”
Tam concluded with, “Given the existing station count’s downward trajectory, it isn’t a surprise that planned CNG stations are also contracting. That said, number of stations is one measure. What we don’t know is the increase or decrease in the amount of fuel being pumped at each station.”