CenterPoint Energy, a domestic energy delivery company, will add 35 natural gas vehicles to its fleet across Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, totaling a fleet of 85 vehicles by the end of 2013.

Additionally, the company expects to provide natural gas service to at least 17 new compressed natural gas fueling stations built in the company’s service territory, according to CenterPoint. The expected 2013 additions will bring the number of natural gas fueling stations in CenterPoint Energy’s service territory to at least 49, with the majority located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.

A number of retail gasoline stations have also begun exploring plans to add natural gas pumps to their locations. According to America’s Natural Gas Alliance, natural gas vehicles have also been shown to emit on average 25 percent less carbon dioxide than their gasoline and diesel-burning counterparts.

Ford Motor Company recently announced they sold a record 11,600 natural gas vehicles in their 2012 model-year lineup – more than tripling 2010 sales. General Motors Company and Chrysler Group also added natural gas pickup trucks to their lineups, while Honda has manufactured the natural gas-powered Civix GX since 1998.

While consumer interest continues to grow, companies with fleets are the largest market for natural gas vehicles. Waste Management, municipal buses in cities throughout the country, and other companies with high mileage fleets have already begun converting to natural gas.