Chrysler pushes natural gas autos

[Curtis]

CHRYSLER PUSHES NATURAL GAS AUTOS

Chrysler Group LLC is supporting compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as a viable near-term solution until it brings electric vehicles to the market in 2012, reports The Detroit News.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and Paolo Ferrero, a former Fiat executive now in charge of Chrysler Powertrain, have started promoting natural gas Chrysler vehicles in the U.S. and calling for government support in the form of tax incentives/credits for alternative fuels and subsidies for infrastructure.

"Today, natural gas is a rational alternative to gasoline that can provide a near-term environmental solution on the road to vehicle electrification," Marchionne said, noting the fuel has 25% fewer emissions and is 25% cheaper than gasoline. "It is the most effective solution, in terms of costs and timing, to lessen this country's reliance on oil," he said.

Chrysler has access to a full line of engines that can run on CNG through its partner Fiat SpA, said Ferrero, adding that these vehicles are ready to bring to the U.S. market.

Read More

Source: Chrysler Pushes Natural Gas Autos, The Detroit News