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Natural gas is a complex fuel made of many hydrocarbons, but its primary component is methane. It is commonly used in homes to cook, heat water, and heat the home. It is currently gaining steam as an alternative fuel for vehicles because it is cleaner than traditional gasoline.

Like oil and coal, natural gas is a naturally occurring fossil fuel. It slowly forms over the course of millennia as dead plant and animal matter is compressed and heated. The gas can often be found alongside oil and coal, but it can also be harvested from dedicated natural gas wells.

There are two main reasons that natural gas could become a short-term alternative to traditional gasoline.

In geopolitical terms, its great advantage is that it is abundantly available locally. Natural gas reserves will last far longer than oil, and its supply is not controlled by a few foreign nations. This will help ensure a longer lasting, more stable fuel domestic fuel supply.

Environmentally, natural gas is a great alternative because it is much cleaner. According to the Department of Energy, it emits far less smog producing gasses, i.e. nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide. Its carbon dioxide emissions are also significantly lower than gasoline. It addresses both major environmental problems reducing smog and reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere.

Although it is a promising new fuel for vehicles, it has yet to take off in the United States. Currently, Honda makes the only compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle available to consumers. One complicating factor is that public fuelling stations are only available in California, and all other users need to refill their cars at home. The fuel is becoming increasingly popular in private and public sector transportation, though, and the Department of Energy reports that 20% of new transportation vehicles run on CNG.

References
http://www.eere. energy.gov/afdc/afv/gas_vehicl es.html
http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Natural_gas#Natural_gas_ vehicles

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