You might not be able to see the difference, but you can definitely hear it.
City of Auburn employees are trying out a natural gas car that arrived Tuesday. The car, a white Honda Civic, comes - at least for the time being - courtesy of a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority pilot program that promotes green energy.
Although it looks like a regular car, the alternate energy vehicle makes no noise. It gets roughly the same mileage as other vehicles, the natural gas equivalent of about 38 miles to the gallon of gasoline.
Natural gas is cleaner and cheaper than gasoline and is mostly produced in the United States. Light-weight natural gas vehicles typically cost about $3,000 to $6,000 more than their traditional equivalents.
The cars are commercially available and are becoming more attractive as gasoline prices are on the rise.
"The state is using them more," said Michael Long, the capital improvement program manager.
Auburn has two sources of natural gas - one actual site and one potential one - that could be tapped for fuel for the cars.
The Auburn Enlarged City School District has a gas well underneath the area around East Middle and Cayuga Community College. The district is looking at the possibility of expanding its use, Long said.
The city is also looking at the possibility of converting methane gas, a by-product from its landfill, into natural gas.
"If we get it set up, the city's fuel would be free," Long said. "It's the concepts and trying to flush them out that is the time consuming part."
The trial car is part of the city's overall initiative to become a green city, and a working model for other cities across the state.
City staff members alternate checking out the car as needed.
"You wouldn't know it wasn't a regular car," said Long, who has driven it.
He's not sure how long the city will be able to keep it, though. If the city decides to purchase the car, NYSERDA grants might be available to cover part of its cost.
Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or mary.bulkot@lee.net
Although it looks like a regular car, the alternate energy vehicle makes no noise. It gets roughly the same mileage as other vehicles, the natural gas equivalent of about 38 miles to the gallon of gasoline.
Natural gas is cleaner and cheaper than gasoline and is mostly produced in the United States. Light-weight natural gas vehicles typically cost about $3,000 to $6,000 more than their traditional equivalents.
The cars are commercially available and are becoming more attractive as gasoline prices are on the rise.
"The state is using them more," said Michael Long, the capital improvement program manager.
Auburn has two sources of natural gas - one actual site and one potential one - that could be tapped for fuel for the cars.
The Auburn Enlarged City School District has a gas well underneath the area around East Middle and Cayuga Community College. The district is looking at the possibility of expanding its use, Long said.
The city is also looking at the possibility of converting methane gas, a by-product from its landfill, into natural gas.
"If we get it set up, the city's fuel would be free," Long said. "It's the concepts and trying to flush them out that is the time consuming part."
The trial car is part of the city's overall initiative to become a green city, and a working model for other cities across the state.
City staff members alternate checking out the car as needed.
"You wouldn't know it wasn't a regular car," said Long, who has driven it.
He's not sure how long the city will be able to keep it, though. If the city decides to purchase the car, NYSERDA grants might be available to cover part of its cost.
Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or mary.bulkot@lee.net