Navigant: almost 39,300 natural gas refueling stations worldwide by 2026

The total number of natural gas refueling stations globally will reach almost 39,300 locations by 2026, according to a new report from Navigant Research.

Since late 2014, the production of crude oil has outpaced demand, triggering a sustained collapse in world oil prices, which have remained mostly below $50 per barrel. As a result, these low prices have put pressure on the market for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and the corresponding refueling infrastructure.

Despite the decline in oil prices, stricter emissions and fuel economy regulations mean that NG remains a very attractive alternative to gasoline and diesel in many regions and vehicle applications where electrification is not a practical alternative. While slowing growth in China is having an impact on vehicle sales, the number of NG refueling stations globally is still projected to swell at a 4.4% compound annual growth rate during the next decade.

—Sam Abuelsamid, senior research analyst with Navigant Research

Several market drivers continue to make natural gas an appealing proposition in the next decade, especially for larger trucks and buses, where electrification is not as practical, and natural gas operation can reduce the costs associated with diesel emissions after-treatment.

According to the report, tightening emissions regulations, particularly for diesel engines, are also expected to push fleets toward natural gas conversions, with refueling infrastructure to follow.

US Legislators Introduce Bill To Encourage Natural Gas Usage

This is basically what it will take for the US to change the current paradigm. Since US auto makers seem completely reticent to change their ways, it will obviously take legislation to force them to change. We need natural gas, electricity, biodiesel and e85 in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. If the infrastructure for natural gas could be expanded, then this would be a great alternative. How hard could it be to install natural gas dispensers at existing gas stations?

From Automotive News:

U.S. lawmakers today unveiled legislation aimed at helping the nation wean itself off foreign oil by providing financial incentives for the use of vehicles fueled by natural gas.

Sponsored by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, the bill would extend for 10 years tax credits for purchasing vehicles that run on natural gas and installing natural gas refueling stations.

"We saw last summer how the wild fluctuations in oil prices helped to wreck our economy, and we've seen how pollutants from dirty fuels are wrecking our planet," Menendez said at a press conference.

He added that the recent economic downturn also had "shined a spotlight on the urgent need for alternative, cleaner and cheaper sources of energy that we don't have to import."

The legislation is backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Orrin Hatch.

Recent advances in technology have led to a natural gas production boom in the United States, after years of stagnant growth in the sector.

"We have much more natural gas than we thought we did just a few years ago," Hatch said at the press conference.

He said there were enough reserves to "significantly increase" the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel.

In addition to extending the tax breaks, the bill would also raise the tax credit caps for consumers who buy natural gas-fueled vehicles and provide tax breaks for manufacturers of those vehicles. The bill would also provide grants for the development of light- and heavy-duty natural gas engines.

Menendez said he may be able to attach his bill to energy and climate change packages