Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

[Black Mariah]

Is it possible in California to obtain a PG&E fueling card BEFORE you actually possess a CNG vehicle?

The reason I ask is that I have a line on a CNG vehicle in Southern CA which I would like to purchase and then drive to Northern CA (SF Bay Area). To obtain a PG&E fueling card you need to fill out the application, have a billing account set up, wait 2 weeks for processing AND obtain in person training at a PG&E station. (As well, I'm assuming that the vehicle ID on the application {attached} is just for billing purposes and that they aren't going to check ownership of vehicle... but you never know.)

http://www.pge.com/myhome/environment/pge/cleanair/naturalgasvehicles/fuelingaccount/

Will they provide the training and approve you if you don't have a CNG vehicle to drive in there?

For those who have gone through this process, how long did it really take?

Alternatively, if someone was traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco -- what would be the best way to do it at Public Access stations?

Thanks.

[Curtis]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem

PG&E requires that you attend a training session to receive a card... not that you own a cng vehicle. I would call them to make an appointment for a training and have a card in hand for your trip.

The 99 fwy offers the most secure route North with it's nearly a dozen stations. The 5 is doable but you are going to be at the mercy of a down station.

Use the trip planner at cngprices.com and call ahead to the stations you plan to use to check their status before setting off on your journey.

[John Mitton]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

I'm going to move this to the N. California forum for the experts to chime in over there.

[cnielsen]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

Fill out the paperwork, send it in. Someone will call you to setup a time and a place to do the 'training'. It will be at one of their locations and you will test with their car. Once complete, you will wait another couple of weeks to get your card. It doesnt take long and if you needed quickly, send it FEDEX (always gets people going) and write a nice note about your timeline.

Good Luck.

[Mshepcomm]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

This won't help the person that is coming to buy his first CNG car, but... I put in an app with PG&E about 3 weeks ago. I just got a call and since I already own a CNG car, fill it down here almost every day and do not live in a PG&E area, (I am in SoCal/Orange County), they said that I could forgo the PG&E training by sending them a letter (affidavit?) that "I have owned a CNG car, include Year, Make ,Model and plate number, for X months/years, and I am fully aware of the proper filling and safety procedures related to fueling a CNG vehicle."
This reduces the liability of an untrained person messing up and hurting themselves then going after PG&E for damages.

[PaulH]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem

PG&E requires that you attend a training session to receive a card... not that you own a cng vehicle. I would call them to make an appointment for a training and have a card in hand for your trip.

The 99 fwy offers the most secure route North with it's nearly a dozen stations. The 5 is doable but you are going to be at the mercy of a down station.

Use the trip planner at cngprices.com and call ahead to the stations you plan to use to check their status before setting off on your journey.

I spoke with the PG&E trainer about training and getting the card before my GX arrives. He said that he no longer has access to a CNG vehicle so I would have to wait until I have my car.

[TheBundo]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

The training session is about 5 minutes, about the length of time it takes to fill your car (for free). However, it was then another week until the cards came in the mail

[Tax Counsel]

Re: Chicken and Egg Problem (obtaining PG&E cards)

When I bought my first CrownVic I had visions of driving it to Sacramento from Orange County on a regular basis. I, too, was able to convince them I was adequately trained to dispense fuel. They issued my cards in about 6 weeks. I still receive $0.00 due bills from them.
TC