If drivers are going to use an alternative fuel, they need places to fill up their tanks.

Honda announced today that it will install a compressed natural-gas (CNG) fueling station near its Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant.

The fully-automated station--constructed and operated by Trillium CNG--will feature three Class 8 dispensers for commercial vehicles and a separate pump for light-duty cars and trucks.

The Japanese automaker hopes the station will encourage suppliers that serve the Marysville plant to adopt CNG as a fuel.

It's part of an ongoing effort to make the auto production process greener. Honda has installed wind turbines to generate electricity for the plant as well.

MORE: 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas: First Drive

2014 Honda Civic Natural Gas

2014 Honda Civic Natural Gas

The new installation will be the first public natural-gas fueling station on any Honda property in North America, although the company has played an important role in keeping the CNG dream alive in the U.S. for years.

The Honda Civic Natural Gas is the only new natural-gas car currently available to individual customers in significant quantities. A refreshed 2014 model went on sale last month.

Natural-gas cars continue to be hamstrung by a lack of available fueling stations. There are about 1,000 stations in the U.S., but only half of those are open to the public.

While one fueling station won't make much of a difference to consumers, installing it at a Honda factory may encourage suppliers to use CNG in their delivery vehicles--which could help to provide the noticeable environmental benefit Honda is looking for.

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