NORMAN, OK - The City of Norman unveiled two new garbage trucks powered by compressed natural gas April 13. The green trucks are the first CNG-powered sanitation trucks to be used in the state, according to NewsOk.com.

The cost of the trucks were offset by a $114,000 grant from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, Utilities Director Ken Komiske said, reported NewsOk.com.

Garbage trucks only get about 2.5 miles per gallon because of the frequent stops they make, Komiske said.

"The fuel savings alone in using these trucks might be enough to compensate for the additional cost of the vehicle," he said.

Sanitation Department employees will monitor fuel costs, maintenance and repair expenses during the next six to 12 months. If the switch to compressed natural gas-powered trucks proves advantageous, more purchases will be made, Komiske said.

The city hopes to build a slow-fill compressed natural gas filling station by the end of the year.

Until then, the city plans to use the University of Oklahoma's fueling station. A long-range goal is to convert 75 percent of the city's fleet to alternative fuels, the mayor said, reported NewsOk.com.