The article in the March 9 issue of The York Dispatch "Driving with natural gas" was very enlightening. I was not aware of how many trucks are going to be made that use natural gas and in some cases are equipped with two tanks, one for natural, the other for regular gas and are able to switch from one to the other automatically.

These trucks will be made later this year by GM and Chrysler. Ford has been making natural gas ready pick-ups since 2009. Honda introduced their Civic Natural Gas car, named Green Car of the year for 2012, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

So, my question is why is this government so adamant about forcing us to migrate to electric cars?

Natural gas appeals to me for a number of reasons. First, it comes from domestic sources. Second, it burns cleaner than regular gas and diesel and third, it costs less.

According to the article there are about 1,000 natural gas fueling stations in the U.S., but only half available to the general public.

The government should give tax credits to buyers and manufacturers to encourage the production and purchase of natural gas-equipped cars.

The Chevy Volt cost over $40,000 and gets around 30 to 40 miles on a charge, and the buyer gets about a $7,000 tax credit.

Why didn't Chevrolet follow Toyota's technology and build a gas/electric car where the battery is charged while you drive?

On Thursday March 22, the price for natural gas for the gasoline-gallon equivalent was $2.15 versus the average of $3.77 for regular gas.

It's encouraging that Mr. Chu, the head of the energy department, while attending the Green Truck Summit in Indianapolis, characterized the move to natural gas as a no-brainer.

And while we are looking at alternate energy sources for our cars and trucks let's think about hydrogen.

Jerry Abenshon

Springettsbury Twp.