Probably the most unusual product at the 2006 Portland International Auto Show, the American RoadsterTM by Eco-Fueler was a three-wheeled roadster that ran on compressed natural gas (CNG) and was built in Eugene, Oregon. It was to be fueled at home using a home fueling appliance that connected to the natural gas utility. Running on 130-octane CNG, which cost between 25 and 98 cents per gallon, the American Roadster had a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds and got 70 miles per gallon. It was designed with an estimated life expectancy of 300,000 miles, and was essentially non-polluting as the emissions from CNG are carbon dioxide and water.
All this technology is great, but you might expect it to come at a high cost: not so. The American Roadster retailed for $18,500, including the home fueling appliance and a removable hardtop, and was also eligible for a $4,000 Federal Tax Credit.
But the company apparently had big dreams, too big. I was on the waiting list for one and even invested some money in the startup. They kept trolling bigger and better production facilities and then, suddenly, they went silent. Phone calls and emails went unanswered. I still don't know the full story. Lesson learned.
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