CNG conversion issues in Oklahoma

Hello everyone,
I have just joined the Pickens Plan and the Cowboys for Pickens Plan forum.

I would like to start a discussion concerning the problems associated with trying to convert a vehicle to CNG in Oklahoma. I have been doing some research all this week on this issue. To my amazement I find little to no involvement in the state for CNG outside of corporate FLEET operations.

On top of this there are some state regulations on conversions that, in essence, make it illegal to work on an alternative fuel vehicle unless one has an "Alternative Fuel Technician Certification". So, my next question was: how does one get certified and what is required? To this date I have been unable to find the answer. I contacted OSU-Okmulgee to ask them if they are aware of the certification requirements. No one was able to give me any information concerning this as they were not aware of it at all.

I have requested information from Francis-Tuttle VoTech but have not received any to date.

So, does anyone on here know anything about this certification requirement? What does it take to get a certification? How does one go about getting anything accomplished if one wants to convert a vehicle without anyone in the state who can do the conversions?

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Permalink Reply by Todd on July 28, 2008 at 11:55am: So there is one place in Oklahoma to convert and he charges 13K per vehicle....and we wonder why no one is converting??? My question is how do you start this business, what are the cost involved and can we get T. Boone to loan the money to create convertion stations, so we can do conversions at a price that is resonable for the average consumer? If a person can not recoup their cost in three years or less most are not going to convert a vehicle.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom Jones on August 20, 2008 at 9:17pm: Well, that does sound expensive to convert a typical Oklahoma used car, but the real answer to our problem is not homemade conversion kits (which a lot of terrible lawless yahoos have in fact been home brewing for tractors and trucks here since WWII without any certifcations or engineering degrees anyway) but a new generation of cars designed in Detroit to burn CNG ONLY really efficiently. I know people with converted trucks and you have to run it on gasoline every other tank to keep the valves and rings healthy.
Yes, we won't see new cars for 10 years even if everyone tries real hard, just like they are preaching about off shore drilling, but the problem will not go anywhere and we will be a lot better off if we get it 10 years from now than if we don't. My own research on CNG conversion was aimed at the legality of using untaxed fuel in a car. Interestingly I found that Oklahoma charges a flat tax of $100.00 per year for using gas, even from your home supply. Unfortunately the compression setup to fill your tank in your own garage exists but like the conversion kits is expensive, yet tempting.
There are many CNG fueling stations in Oklahoma City metro, but only two open to the public and one part time. Most are owned by government or military organizations, some private companies. The government is not willing to share that with the public either despite the political hoohaw about wanting to get America off the oil habit.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jerry Philpott on July 29, 2008 at 9:32pm: Tulsa Gas Tech does conversions to a very limited number of engines and it is very pricey ($10-12,000). They also have "in-home" CNG filling equipment. Cost: $10,100. There are some tax incentives.

www.tulsagastech.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chip Schula on August 6, 2008 at 2:32pm: Good Afternoon --
Currently there are 3 locations that I know of in Oklahoma that will convert vehicles to run on CNG. One was mentioned in an earlier post on this subject, that facility is Tulsa Gas Technologies owned by Tom Sewell. The other locations are, Jim Norton Ford in Broken Arrow (contact Bill Winters), and in the OKC area Carter Chevrolet in Okarche (contact me, Chip Schula)
Yes, the State of Oklahoma requires a technician to be licensed to install and/or work on a CNG fuel system. The testing and licensing is conducted through the Alternative Fuels Techincal Examiners Program which is run through part of the State's Fleet Management Division. You can call the Fleet Managerment division and ask for Alternative Fuels. The testing and licensing is based upon regulations from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and State laws. The Alternative Fuels program director can send you more details.
Hope this helps answer some questions, if not, let me know and I will get the information to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mitch Russell on September 8, 2008 at 1:57pm: Yes, the Oklahoma laws are your typically outdated style. Everything is geared toward fleet conversion, with little allowance for private use.

I drive an 02 Neon with a manual transmission. I get 36 hwy, 26 in town with gasoline.

Ironically, I live 1/2 mile from a CNG station operated by ONG here in Enid.

Typically, I would purchase about 140 gallons of gasoline per year. This is about $50/year tax but I'd have to pay $100/year flat tax for CNG. Plus, I'd have to pay a couple of thousand dollars for conversion by a certified tech, all on a car that is only valued at about $3000.

Pickens' plan is good, but how do we get state legislators support? Especially in states like Oklahoma where significant state funds come from taxes on oil?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Geoff Bailey on September 10, 2008 at 8:32am: All,

Great discussion on CNG. Here is a fantastic article on how OSU is leading the fight for CNG conversion in OKlahoma.

Check it out here.; ▶ Reply to This