The compressed natural gas market in the United States began its development in the 1980s. Overall, the increase in the compressed natural gas market in the US has increased through the expansion of the public transport fleet, as well as gasification of the truck fleet.
According to 2019 data, there are more than 175,000 Vehicles on CNG in the U.S. and 1591 CNG Filling Stations. In America, about 50 different manufacturers produce 100 models of cars and engines with different capacities.
In the United States, the use of CNG buses is common practice. For example, in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and many others, buses mostly use methane as fuel.
At regional level, legislation and programmes for the development of transport based on methane are currently created:
- for example, in the state of California – a leader in the introduction of CNG in the United States – there are programs to co-finance the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, and vehicles using CNG. Hydrogen or electric vehicles can use a dedicated lane for cars with a large number of passengers without restrictions and at a low cost.
- ensuring a sufficient price difference between CNG and traditional fuel by introducing zero or preferential excise duty on CNG fuel. There is a reduced excise duty on propane and CNG in the USA.
- implementation of tax incentive programmes for vehicles using CNG, such as tax reductions for those who own and use such cars.