But concerns about the dearth of refueling stations on a long-distance scale — there are only about 70 nationwide right now — are limiting development of long-haul trucks and passenger vehicles.

“Infrastructure is the critical factor,” says Ann Duignan, a managing director at J.P. Morgan Equity Research. “Fleets would be much more willing to invest in vehicles if they knew when more stations were coming. Because, if it’s not soon, who’s going to buy your used trucks?” Westport Innovations is one of the only companies exclusively devoted to making natural gas-powered trucks, but diversified trucking manufacturers such as PACCARand Cummins are also touting new natural gas-fueled vehicles.

Clean Energy Fuels,the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in the U.S., is teaming up with Pilot Flying J, one of the biggest operators of truck stops, to install liquefied natural gas, or gaseous-based pumps at 150 facilities within two years.

Royal Dutch Shell will invest more than $300 million to create a series of liquefied natural gas filling stations across the U.S. Shell will install 200 LNG pumps at 100 Travel Centers of America refueling stations, a partnership seen as a challenge to Clean Energy Fuels — Pilot Flying J one.

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