David Hoffman | Inhaling NYC Taxi Fumes: A Daredevil's Experience! @DavidHoffmanFilmmaker | Uploaded October 2024 | Updated October 2024, 13 minutes ago.
This clip about a natural gas engine on a New York taxi cab is part of a one hour long film I made in the late 1980s on the coming of alternative engines to the internal combustion engine on cars and trucks. Here is that film - youtu.be/ZGCj18B_AU0
I recently bought an electric car. A Kia. It is quite wonderful. But back when I filmed this scene an alternative car was being proposed that seems to have never taken off. A natural gas car. I have no idea why this idea has not succeeded or if it will succeed in the future but it was amazing to see an automobile that had zero pollution and yet burned gasoline.
Natural gas-powered car engines offer some advantages, such as reduced emissions and lower fuel costs, but they aren't practical for every automobile.
Natural gas fueling stations are far less common than gasoline stations, especially outside major cities like New York. A lack of readily available refueling points makes it inconvenient for most drivers.
Compressed or Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG): Vehicles that run on natural gas typically require either compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) natural gas, which requires specialized storage and handling infrastructure, adding to operational complexity.
Most cars aren't designed to run on natural gas, so converting a conventional gasoline or diesel engine requires significant modifications. This includes installing high-pressure storage tanks, a natural gas injection system, and engine tuning to handle the different combustion properties of natural gas.
Converting a car to run on natural gas can be expensive, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the vehicle and complexity of the conversion.
Factory-built natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are rare and typically more expensive than their gasoline counterparts.
Natural gas has a lower energy density compared to gasoline or diesel, meaning a larger or higher-pressure fuel tank is needed to store enough gas for long-distance driving. Even with these tanks, the range of NGVs is generally lower than gasoline vehicles unless they use oversized tanks.
The storage tanks for compressed natural gas take up more space than a typical gasoline tank, often reducing the amount of available trunk or cargo space.
Natural gas engines require more frequent maintenance, especially for components like filters, valves, and regulators, which deal with high-pressure gas.
The pressurized fuel tanks need to be reinforced and meet strict safety standards to avoid leaks or accidents. CNG is highly flammable, so any leaks in the system pose a serious risk if not properly managed.
Benefits of Natural Gas Engines. Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, producing fewer greenhouse gases and less smog-forming pollutants, making it an environmentally friendly option. In some regions, natural gas is cheaper than gasoline or diesel, resulting in lower fuel costs over time.
There are hydrogen-powered vehicles, including some taxis, in operation in New York. Several hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are being tested or used in pilot programs around the world, including in New York. Toyota's Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo are two examples of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that have been incorporated into these fleets. The deployment of hydrogen taxis in cities is often part of broader initiatives to reduce emissions and explore cleaner transportation technologies.
Producing hydrogen, particularly "green hydrogen" (which is made using renewable energy), is still costly. Most hydrogen today is made from natural gas, which is less environmentally friendly and undermines the green potential of hydrogen vehicles. Efforts are ongoing to reduce the cost of hydrogen production, but it remains a significant barrier.
Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to its low density. It needs to be stored under high pressure or at very low temperatures, requiring specialized tanks and infrastructure, which adds complexity and cost.
If this clip has meaning for you, please consider supporting my efforts by clicking the super thanks button below the video screen to the right. That support helps me to keep providing clips from my documentaries and from my archive.
Thank you
David Hoffman
This clip about a natural gas engine on a New York taxi cab is part of a one hour long film I made in the late 1980s on the coming of alternative engines to the internal combustion engine on cars and trucks. Here is that film - youtu.be/ZGCj18B_AU0
I recently bought an electric car. A Kia. It is quite wonderful. But back when I filmed this scene an alternative car was being proposed that seems to have never taken off. A natural gas car. I have no idea why this idea has not succeeded or if it will succeed in the future but it was amazing to see an automobile that had zero pollution and yet burned gasoline.
Natural gas-powered car engines offer some advantages, such as reduced emissions and lower fuel costs, but they aren't practical for every automobile.
Natural gas fueling stations are far less common than gasoline stations, especially outside major cities like New York. A lack of readily available refueling points makes it inconvenient for most drivers.
Compressed or Liquefied Natural Gas (CNG/LNG): Vehicles that run on natural gas typically require either compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) natural gas, which requires specialized storage and handling infrastructure, adding to operational complexity.
Most cars aren't designed to run on natural gas, so converting a conventional gasoline or diesel engine requires significant modifications. This includes installing high-pressure storage tanks, a natural gas injection system, and engine tuning to handle the different combustion properties of natural gas.
Converting a car to run on natural gas can be expensive, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the vehicle and complexity of the conversion.
Factory-built natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are rare and typically more expensive than their gasoline counterparts.
Natural gas has a lower energy density compared to gasoline or diesel, meaning a larger or higher-pressure fuel tank is needed to store enough gas for long-distance driving. Even with these tanks, the range of NGVs is generally lower than gasoline vehicles unless they use oversized tanks.
The storage tanks for compressed natural gas take up more space than a typical gasoline tank, often reducing the amount of available trunk or cargo space.
Natural gas engines require more frequent maintenance, especially for components like filters, valves, and regulators, which deal with high-pressure gas.
The pressurized fuel tanks need to be reinforced and meet strict safety standards to avoid leaks or accidents. CNG is highly flammable, so any leaks in the system pose a serious risk if not properly managed.
Benefits of Natural Gas Engines. Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, producing fewer greenhouse gases and less smog-forming pollutants, making it an environmentally friendly option. In some regions, natural gas is cheaper than gasoline or diesel, resulting in lower fuel costs over time.
There are hydrogen-powered vehicles, including some taxis, in operation in New York. Several hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are being tested or used in pilot programs around the world, including in New York. Toyota's Mirai and Hyundai’s Nexo are two examples of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that have been incorporated into these fleets. The deployment of hydrogen taxis in cities is often part of broader initiatives to reduce emissions and explore cleaner transportation technologies.
Producing hydrogen, particularly "green hydrogen" (which is made using renewable energy), is still costly. Most hydrogen today is made from natural gas, which is less environmentally friendly and undermines the green potential of hydrogen vehicles. Efforts are ongoing to reduce the cost of hydrogen production, but it remains a significant barrier.
Hydrogen is difficult to store and transport due to its low density. It needs to be stored under high pressure or at very low temperatures, requiring specialized tanks and infrastructure, which adds complexity and cost.
If this clip has meaning for you, please consider supporting my efforts by clicking the super thanks button below the video screen to the right. That support helps me to keep providing clips from my documentaries and from my archive.
Thank you
David Hoffman
