It is safe, he said, asserting that there has never been a fire in a natural-gas vehicle.

In large measure, the moves by Ford and the government result from a friendlier environment toward natural-gas vehicles.

Ford produced a selection of natural-gas powered vehicles but recently gave those up too.

"The trick now will be to get the auto industry to mass produce natural-gas vehicles."

The first group of buses, 190 compressed natural-gas vehicles, should be in service by late next year, officials said.

The utility plans to convert an additional 12 vehicles in 1993 and purchase 4 new natural-gas vehicles.

"The advantage of natural-gas vehicles is that they are safe, clean, economically efficient and, most important, use a domestic fuel."

In addition, bulky canisters are used in natural-gas vehicles, which can cut down on cargo space.

New Zealand has 125,000 natural-gas vehicles, and the Soviet Union 200,000.

Ford has had more success, with six natural-gas vehicles in its 1998 model year, including the Crown Victoria.