Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (HMC), Clean Energy Fuels Corp (CLNE): When Will Natural Gas-Powered Vehicles Take Off?

Companies such 3M Co (NYSE:MMM) and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) have already pledged to jointly develop lighter and more efficient natural gas fuel tanks, which should allow natural gas cars to have more cargo space.

Meanwhile, companies such as Westport Innovations Inc. (USA) (NASDAQ:WPRT) are working with auto manufacturers to develop more advanced bi-fuel technologies for passenger vehicles. In February, Westport announced that its Westport WiNG Power system, a CNG bi-fuel system, will be available on the Ford F-450 and F-550 Super Duty Chassis Cab trucks starting April 1.

And finally, several companies are working hard to surmount the challenge of limited refueling infrastructure. For instance, Navistar International Corp (NYSE:NAV), a manufacturer of trucks and diesel engines, is partnering with Clean Energy Fuels Corp (NASDAQ:CLNE) to offer natural gas-powered trucks and greater refueling infrastructure.

Clean Energy Fuels already has more than 300 natural gas refueling stations throughout the country, of which four-fifths are equipped to refuel passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks that run on CNG. Earlier this month, it opened up a new CNG fueling station at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which will be open to both public and private vehicles and fleets, including CNG-powered consumer vehicles.

The article When Will Natural Gas-Powered Vehicles Take Off? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Arjun Sreekumar has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3M, Clean Energy Fuels, Ford, and Westport Innovations; owns shares of Ford and Westport Innovations; and has options on Chesapeake Energy.

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