Hydrogen / Natural Gas

Vehicles fueled with hydrogen/natural gas blends (HCNG) are an initial step toward the hydrogen-based transportation of the future. HCNG vehicles offer the potential for immediate emissions benefits, such as a reduction in nitrogen oxides (NO x) emissions. At the same time, they can pave the way for a transition to fuel cell vehicles by building early demand for hydrogen infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Energy supports light- and heavy-duty HCNG projects. DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) teamed with industry partners to construct and operate a hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) generation and fueling facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The facility provides pure hydrogen, pure CNG, or HCNG blends to light-duty test vehicles that have been independently modified to operate on these fuels.

DOE's Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Forum is supporting a project to develop heavy-duty HCNG engines and transit buses. The HCNG (20% hydrogen, 80% CNG mole fraction) engines demonstrated lower emissions, including a 50% reduction in NO x , than similar engines fueled with CNG alone with no significant change in fuel efficiency. Preliminary results from chassis dynamometer emission testing indicated that HCNG also produces emission benefits when the engines are integrated into transit buses.

For a list of stations that dispense CNG, visit the Public Fueling Locations page.