Compressed natural gas is an abundant North American natural resource, with supplies forecast by some experts to last well into the future, perhaps until the year 2200. As such, it only makes sense that Toyota would build (and study) a CNG Camry Hybrid Concept, which was just unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
This concept Camry is a real car, with a CNG tank where the spare tire used to reside, overall fuel economy of approximately 33 mpg and a range of some 250 miles. That's about half the range of the standard Camry Hybrid, but in its defense CNG is a very clean-burning fuel, low in particulate emissions, NOX and CO2. What's more, it has a higher ignition temperature than gasoline, and it quickly disperses into the atmosphere if a leak should ever occur.
The CNG Camry Hybrid Concept was built by Metalcrafters in Fountain Valley, California, using a standard Camry Hybrid as a starting point. The standard gasoline powertrain was swapped with a CNG system, with two 3600-psi carbon-fiber tanks installed in the well for the spare tire. As you'd expect, the car is fitted with run-flat tires, and it also has some unique visual touches. These include a custom front fascia with no grille opening, a new rear bumper that hides the exhaust and "Compressed Natural Gas Hybrid" graphics.
Toyota feels that CNG has great potential both in the U.S. and abroad, but is keen to point out that it is just one of several fuels it is studying for the future. And for the record, there are fewer than 1000 stations in the U.S right now, with less than half open to the public. Even so, Toyota's CNG Camry Hybrid — though still just a concept - makes good sense, especially for environmental reasons.
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