Wherever there is a natural gas pipe，there can be installed a CNG refueling station.

There are two main types of CNG refueling stations based on the filling speed.

Fast Fill Stations

Fast fill stations dispense CNG at rates similar to liquid fuels. These stations have large compressors and high-pressure storage tanks to support rapid vehicle refueling. A fast fill station can be designed so that each vehicle is filled from the storage tanks. This is called a “cascade” fast fill station. The other option is to fill vehicles mainly from the compressor, which is called a “buffer” fast fill system.

Time Fill Stations

Time fill stations refuel fleet vehicles over a period of eight to twelve hours. Vehicles are plugged in at filling posts at the fleet owner’s site for overnight refueling. A time fill system provides an operating advantage because vehicles do not need to line up for fuel at the end of a shift.

A combination time fill and fast fill station is also an option. This kind of station provides limited fast fill refueling if a vehicle must return to the yard to top up with fuel during a shift. Optional fuel storage tanks are needed for time fill stations that include some fast fill refueling capability.

No special training is required to refuel a vehicle at a CNG station. A sealed system is created when the dispenser hose is connected to the vehicle receptacle. Fuel will only flow out of the dispenser when it is connected. CNG stations are the most common type of natural gas refueling station.