Fueling for Natural Gas Vehicles

CNG Fueling

At CNG stations, the gas is typically taken from the local gas utility’s line at low pressure, compressed and dispensed into the vehicle's storage tanks at high pressure, typically to 3,600 psi. There are two basic types of fueling equipment: fast-fill and time-fill.

• Fast-fill systems combine a compressor and a high-pressure storage system to fill the vehicle's fuel tank in about the same time it takes to fuel a regular vehicle.
• Time-fill systems do not have a storage system and typically compress the gas directly into the vehicle storage cylinders to refuel vehicles while they are parked overnight.

Public CNG stations are currently limited, but the number of locations is expanding rapidly. Public/private fleet operators may also choose to install their own CNG fueling stations.

Visit the U.S. Government Department of Energy's Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find the public station nearest you.

How to Refuel

There are five public fast fill refueling stations located throughout Virginia. The process for refueling is almost identical to the process used at local gasoline stations. Most public CNG stations accept credit cards at the dispenser and the filling time is similar to using a gasoline pump.