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Alternative Fuel & Efficiency · Okarche, Oklahoma
Last updated: August 2026
Compressed natural gas (CNG) had a real moment in Oklahoma, and Carter Chevrolet was part of it — we converted more than 2,000 vehicles to run on natural gas back when the state was pushing it hard. Today, though, automakers have stopped building CNG cars, the fueling network never scaled for everyday drivers, and the practical path to low fuel costs has shifted. We no longer do CNG conversions. If low cost-per-mile is what you’re after, the modern answers are the Duramax diesel, electric trucks, and fleet-spec vehicles — and we can help with all three.
If you found this page searching for CNG vehicles or conversions in Oklahoma, you’re in the right place for a straight answer — even if it isn’t the one you expected. We’ll tell you honestly where CNG stands today, and what we’d point you toward instead if your real goal is a truck that’s cheap to run.
We’re not writing this from the outside looking in. Back when Oklahoma was one of the biggest natural-gas states in the country and the push to put CNG in everyday vehicles was in full swing, Carter Chevrolet was right in the middle of it. We converted more than 2,000 vehicles to run on compressed natural gas — bi-fuel and dedicated CNG builds for drivers and fleets across the region. For a stretch there, we were one of the go-to shops in the state for it.
CNG faded for consumers because automakers stopped building natural-gas cars, the fueling network stayed thin, upfront costs were high, and cheap gasoline plus the rise of EVs and efficient diesels gave buyers better options. CNG survives today mainly in large fleets, transit buses, and heavy trucks — not everyday driveways.
A few things happened at once, and together they took the wind out of consumer CNG:
Honda ended its natural-gas Civic in 2015, and Chevrolet discontinued its bi-fuel Impala in 2017. Aside from fleet-focused truck and van options, no automaker builds a mainstream CNG passenger vehicle for the U.S. market today. When the factory options dry up, so does the everyday market.
CNG only works if you can conveniently fill up, and for most drivers the public station network stayed too thin to rely on. Home fueling appliances existed but added cost and complexity. Compare that to a gas or diesel station on every corner.
The upfront cost of a CNG vehicle or conversion was high, the tanks ate into cargo and range, and when gasoline stayed relatively cheap, the payback stretched out for years. Meanwhile, buyers who wanted low running costs increasingly turned to EVs, hybrids, and modern fuel-efficient diesels.
For everyday drivers, generally no — the vehicles, infrastructure, and payback no longer add up. CNG still makes sense for some large fleets, municipalities, and heavy-duty operations that fuel at their own yard and run high mileage. If that’s you, it’s a fleet conversation, not a retail one.
We’re not here to bad-mouth natural gas — it still has a place. Cities running refuse trucks and buses, and operations with their own fueling on site and very high annual mileage, can still pencil it out. But that’s a specialized fleet decision with its own upfit partners. For a typical driver, contractor, or small business, the practical low-cost-to-run options have moved on — which brings us to what we’d actually put you in today.
If your goal was low fuel cost, look at the Duramax diesel (strong highway mileage and 600+ mile range). If it was clean, low operating cost, look at electric trucks. If it was running a fleet efficiently, our commercial team can spec the right mix. Carter can help with all three.
Almost everyone who wanted CNG really wanted one of three things: cheaper miles, cleaner running, or an efficient fleet. Here’s the modern path to each.
No. Carter was one of Oklahoma’s CNG leaders and converted more than 2,000 vehicles when the state was promoting natural gas, but we no longer offer CNG conversions. Automakers stopped building CNG vehicles and the market moved on. We’re glad to point you toward efficient diesel, electric, or fleet options instead.
Automakers stopped making natural-gas cars (Honda ended the CNG Civic in 2015, Chevrolet the bi-fuel Impala in 2017), the public fueling network stayed thin, upfront costs were high, and cheap gasoline plus the rise of EVs and efficient diesels gave buyers better options. CNG now survives mainly in large fleets and heavy trucks.
New CNG passenger vehicles are essentially unavailable from automakers today; remaining CNG activity is mostly fleet-based. If low fuel cost is your goal, a modern diesel or an electric truck is usually the better and more practical choice now.
For low cost per mile, the 3.0L Duramax diesel offers strong highway mileage and 600-plus miles of range with no special fueling network required. For clean, low operating cost, an electric truck is the modern alternative-fuel path. Carter can help you compare both.
We no longer service or convert CNG systems, so we can’t work on the natural-gas components. But if you’re ready to move into something new and efficient, we’d be glad to help you find the right diesel, electric, or gas vehicle and value your current one as a trade.
Jason Leck is the General Manager at Carter Chevrolet in Okarche, OK. Carter was one of Oklahoma’s early CNG conversion leaders and now helps drivers and fleets find efficient diesel, electric, and gas vehicles — with the no-pressure approach the dealership has been known for since 1973. More about Jason.
Sources: Industry status of CNG vehicles per Kelley Blue Book and general automotive market reporting; automaker CNG discontinuation dates (Honda Civic GX, 2015; Chevrolet bi-fuel Impala, 2017) per public automotive sources. Carter Chevrolet CNG conversion history reflects the dealership’s own record.
This page is provided for general information. Carter Chevrolet no longer offers CNG conversions or CNG system service. Vehicle availability, specifications, and fuel-economy figures vary by configuration and are subject to change; contact Carter Chevrolet for current options.