What effect will the conversion have on my vehicle’s original warranty?
In most cases, placing aftermarket parts on a vehicle does not void the warranty provided by the original equipment (vehicle) manufacturer. When an aftermarket CNG conversion kit is put on your car, this is the situation. The “Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975” states that a manufacturer cannot void a vehicle’s warranty due to aftermarket parts. If a transmission fails while under warranty and the vehicle is equipped with a CNG conversion system, the transmission is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If there is a debate about what caused the failure, this statute clarifies that the manufacturer or dealer bears the burden of proof. See the Federal Trade Commission or the Environmental Protection Agency for more information.
Natural gas engines were developed in the late 1800s, years before the first gasoline engine was developed.
CNG is natural gas that has been pressured (compressed) to a pressure of 3600 PSI. Natural gas is the same as methane gas, which is produced when organic stuff that was once alive decomposes.
- In terms of direct cost, CNG is significantly less expensive than gasoline or diesel. It costs cheaper than gasoline in most parts of the country.
- Because CNG increases the life of the engine, the car owner saves a lot more money. CNG usage results in lower maintenance expenses because less oil and spark plug changes, as well as engine tune-ups, are necessary.
- CNG does not pollute or dilute the engine’s lubricating oil in the crankcase.
- Because CNG does not react with metals, pipes and mufflers survive longer.
- The United States will be a major natural gas producer in the globe for the next century, with one of the world’s largest pipeline networks. North America produces 98 percent of the natural gas marketed in the United States. This reduces our country’s reliance on foreign oil.
- CNG is a far cleaner fuel than gasoline or diesel, and it has the potential to greatly improve environmental conditions by reducing air pollution not only in the United States, but also globally. CNG-powered vehicles emit less CO, CO2, NOX, and other pollutants. According to the EPA, vehicles that run on CNG emit 30 to 40 percent fewer greenhouse gases.
EPA These kits are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and are designed for automobiles that are less than two years old. For example, automobiles constructed in the years 2012, 2013, and 2014 must be converted using an approved kit. On Intermediate Aged vehicles, certified kits can also be installed.
EPA Compliant/Intermediate Aged: These kits are for vehicles that are more than two years old from the year they were built. For example, an Intermediate Kit would be appropriate for a car manufactured in 2011 or earlier.
Yes, but not simultaneously. One type of fuel can be used at a time, and the fuel can be changed using a button on the dash near the stirring wheel.
This is dependent on the size of CNG tank you choose for your vehicle conversion.
You can fill up your car with CNG at a public CNG station. If your home or company has natural gas service piping, a CNG fueling device can be placed on your property and sized to match your home or business’s fueling needs. For residential and business CNG refueling equipment, K.C. Larson, Inc. may provide consultancy, design, installation, and yearly service.
When the pressure in the CNG storage tank drops below a certain level, the engine will automatically switch to gasoline. When this happens, the driver usually does not detect a change in engine operation.
There are three subsystems in every CNG system:
- At least one high-pressure cylinder approved to be pressurized to 3600 PSI is required for CNG storage. On the cylinder, there is a high-pressure safety release valve.
- Pressure Regulator: This component of the system lowers the gas pressure from 3,600 PSI to around 15 PSI. The injectors deliver natural gas to the engine once the gas goes through the regulator.
- Electronic Components: This system enables the CNG system to mimic the performance of gasoline.
- Because natural gas is much lighter than air, it rises quickly into the atmosphere if it is accidentally released. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air in the same type of accident, thus it pools at ground level, posing a fire hazard.
- Natural gas has a high ignition temperature of about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas gasoline has a temperature of about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural gas likewise has a restricted flammability range, meaning it will not ignite at quantities in the air below around 5% and above about 15%. Natural gas is unlikely to be accidentally ignited or burned due to its high ignition temperature and restricted flammability range.
- On board vehicles, compressed natural gas is kept in tanks that meet high safety criteria. CNG vehicles have more stronger fuel storage cylinders than gasoline ones. Natural gas cylinders are put through a series of officially mandated “severe abuse” tests, including tremendous heat and pressure, gunfire, collisions, and fires. Spills and evaporative losses are avoided since natural gas fuel pipelines are “sealed.” Even if a fuel system leak occurred, the natural gas would evaporate into the atmosphere. It’s not like gasoline, which pools liquid and vapor on the ground in the event of a leak or accident, posing a fire threat.
Because CNG does not contaminate or dilute crankcase oil, it helps to extend the life of lubricating oil. Because CNG does not contain any lead, fouling of plugs is eliminated, and plug life is increased. CNG enters the engine as gas, whereas gasoline and diesel enter as a spray or mist, rinsing the lubricating oil from the piston ring area and increasing the rate of engine depreciation. This lowers maintenance expenses and extends the life of the engine. Natural gas is not caustic or harmful.
The fact that CNG is a natural gas (methane) means that its exhaust emissions comprise just water vapor, no carbon or other particles, and a minor amount of carbon monoxide. CNG-powered vehicles are almost pollution-free and meet the most strict emission standards in the world.
In terms of performance, how does a CNG/gasoline bi-fuel car compare to a regular gasoline-powered vehicle?
CNG vehicles have the advantages of easy starts, steady idling, and smooth acceleration. Acceleration is slowed by a 5-15 percent loss of power, which can be mitigated by fine-tuning the CNG kit by advancing spark timing to take advantage of its high octane rating. Natural gas has a 130 octane rating, whereas gasoline has an octane rating of 87 to 96.
A pressurized gas cylinder is likely the vehicle’s most powerful component. The only apparent component of a vehicle that has been completely wrecked in an accident is the unbroken gas cylinder. Cylinders are unlikely to rupture as a result of a collision. A CNG storage cylinder is much more powerful than a traditional gasoline or diesel tank in a vehicle.
Natural gas engines operate in a similar manner to gasoline engines. A spark plug ignites an air-fuel mixture fed into the intake manifold, which is subsequently drawn into the combustion chamber. The majority of engine care needs are comparable and may be addressed by a dealer, auto shop, or professional mechanic. If a retrofit repair is required, such as replacing a defective injector or tightening compression fittings, the installer should do it.
Is it possible to convert a CNG engine to a gasoline engine?
Is it Possible to Switch Between CNG and Petrol? Yes. Gas is the default fuel for CNG automobiles, so you won’t have to switch to anything else.
What is the cost of a CNG conversion kit?
It turns out that there aren’t many technological hurdles to overcome. Converting existing vehicles to run on natural gas is actually rather simple. Unfortunately, if you tried it yourself, you’d almost certainly break the Clean Air Act’s prohibitions against changing gasoline systems, a violation that could cost you up to $5000 in fines for each day you drive the altered vehicle. So, if you want to go green with your wheels right now, you’ll need to hire a licensed compressed-natural-gas (CNG) installer. I went to NatGasCar in Cleveland to learn more about aftermarket CNG systems. It’s a start-up company that installs a natural gas fuel system alongside gasoline cars. They showed me their newest innovation, a dual-fuel Dodge Caravan that would be used as an airport taxi. It runs on gasoline at first, then changes to natural gas as the engine warms up.
The compressed-natural-gas fuel tank located behind the rear seats in the cargo area is NatGasCar’s most important and expensive component. The company employs a Type 4 tank, which is the most modern type available. It has a plastic composite core coated in carbon fiber that helps it to be lighter, and it’s rated for severe impact and puncture resistance.
The fuel regulator sits between the tank and the engine, reducing the 3600 psi fuel tank pressure to an useable 125 psi fed to the engine. The fuel regulator is heated to keep it from freezing due to gas expansion. The lower-pressure gas is delivered to the engine, a Chrysler Pentastar V-6 that can run on a variety of fuels. It’s crucial to have a flex-fuel engine since it has toughened valves and valve seats, which are required for CNG operation. A parallel fuel rail carries the natural gas, and a second set of injectors is plugged into a smart adaptor that allows both gasoline and CNG injectors to be used on the same injection port. For the Pentastar engine, natural gas has an optimal air-fuel ratio of roughly 16.8:1, whilst gasoline has a happy ratio of 14.6:1. As a result, the new injectors’ programming must be slightly modified. The wire harness in the NatGasCar intercepts signals from the engine-control module and turns on either the gasoline or CNG injectors, depending on which fuel is selected. The signals for the gasoline injectors are changed so that the natural gas injectors get the right amount of fuel. This method, only minor fine tuning is required, and the car’s engine-control unit takes care of the majority of the work.
Fueling Woes
So, with a new gasoline tank and a little fiddling with the fuel injectors, I should be good to go, right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Natural gas is distributed to millions of residences around the country. However, what appears to be the ideal distribution network is actually the natural gas cars’ biggest headache. Natural gas is given at roughly 0.5 psi at home, but it must be pressurized to 3600 psi in cars. You’ll need a compressor if you wish to use CNG in your car. Because compressed gas storage in residences is prohibited by a National Fire Protection Association safety requirement, a stand-alone multistage compressor pump in the garage must be hooked up to the vehicle’s fuel tank and immediately fill it. This results in up to 22-hour fuelling times (even longer than equivalent home charging times for electric vehicles). Honda’s Civic Natural Gas comes with a Phill ($4500) home compressor system, which is the only one of its kind on the market. NatGasCar is working on a compressor system that can fill up a car in eight hours; the current goal price is $3500. Some states have subsidized the construction of high-speed filling equipment at petrol stations, which can take as little as 4 to 5 minutes to fill, similar to gasoline. However, because these systems are expensive to establish, just 941 high-pressure CNG filling stations are distributed across the country, largely in New York, California, Utah, and Texas.
Economics
It’s true that fueling CNG vehicles is inconvenient, but is it worth it? Natural gas costs between 79 cents and $1.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) across the country. Because natural gas has a higher octane rating, CNG vehicles have the same or better relative fuel economy per Btu as petroleum-based vehicles. Our test drives revealed no degradation in performance and a range of roughly 250 miles. However, there are some astronomical early setup fees. The cost of a fully installed conversion ranges from $6500 for a simple system to $12,000 for a top-of-the-line installation with a high-capacity, composite fuel tank. Add $3500 to the total if you want a home fuelling compressor. Even at the low end, the conversion will cost you enough money to buy over 1800 gallons of gasoline at today’s pricing.
The destiny of CNG vehicles will eventually be determined by these pricing. High gasoline prices have historically sparked a rush of investment in less expensive, cleaner fuels, followed by a drop in demand when costs decline. For the time being, CNG has a high entry cost, making it only practical for taxi services and other fleet operators, but economies of scale may reduce costs for the average car buyer in the future. And if the price of gasoline remains above $3 per gallon, the change may occur sooner rather than later.
Can CNG be used as a source of energy?
CNG (compressed natural gas) is an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline. CNG fuel is safer than gasoline and diesel since it is non-toxic and does not pollute ground water. It is made by compressing natural gas (methane) to less than 1% of its original volume. This is the same natural gas that you use to heat your home and water, cook on the stove, and even dry your clothing in a dryer on a daily basis. Both commercial and non-commercial cars are increasingly using compressed natural gas (CNG).
What is the difference between a CNG conversion kit and a CNG conversion kit?
Conversion kits for compressed natural gas (CNG) enable a mechanic to convert a standard gasoline vehicle to one that operates on CNG. Although the procedure is complex, it is not insurmountably difficult. It might even be done in your own garage if you are mechanically inclined. Another option is to locate a willing mechanic who will install a CNG conversion kit for you!
Is it possible to convert CNG to LPG?
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) are two distinct gases that require separate kits. However, an existing CNG car can be converted to LPG. To complete the task, you will want the services of a qualified specialist.
What does it cost to convert a car to run on natural gas in South Africa?
The gas conversion equipment and installation costs between R5 000 and R7 000 per car, but Petro-gas claims that businesses or private motorists who travel a lot can recoup the investment quickly through fuel and other cost savings.
How many miles per gallon can you get with CNG?
- In an accident, lighter-than-air natural gas evaporates, making it a safer alternative to flammable liquid fuel.
- While equivalent models of natural-gas and gasoline-powered cars get the same miles per gallon, you’ll spend far less money on petrol. The cost of natural gas is around half that of gasoline. Because of the cleaner-burning fuel, you’ll need to replace the oil less regularly, according to Okhtay Darian, an energy engineer with Associated Renewable Inc., a New York-based energy consulting firm.
“A typical gasoline-powered automobile gets 32 miles per gallon, but a CNG-powered car gets 43 miles per gallon,” Darian explains.
- According to the US Energy Information Administration, eighty percent to ninety percent of the natural gas we use comes from domestic sources.
- Drive in the fast lane: NGVs can utilize a high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lane at any time in several states.
Is it worthwhile to switch to CNG?
Such infrastructural concerns are becoming more prominent in debates about alternate energy sources. It’s an issue that inspires both hope and frustration because of the huge logistical obstacles. CNG is one of the solutions for consumers looking for alternatives to gasoline. It is cheaper, homegrown, and significantly cleaner to burn than oil.
There are two major roadblocks: conversion costs and limitations, and a shortage of facilities to refuel once you’ve made the switch.
The latter, according to Ockers, is just a matter of CNG getting its foot in the door, primarily through fleet vehicles, or company cars and trucks. Corporate owners are likely to be able to afford the switch, and their fleets would generate the necessary demand for new outlets to emerge. Laclede’s auto CNG customers are mostly fleets, with some coming from out of town. According to Ockers, the utility recently powered 47 school buses traveling from North Carolina to Kansas City.
“I believe it is the paradigm that will most likely succeed in terms of creating natural gas infrastructure,” he said. “First, get the fleets and companies in order, then go on to the general public.”
There’s also some evidence that the market is growing. The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is currently exploring establishing a public CNG station. At Lambert, there are already private natural gas facilities, which are largely used to fuel shuttle vehicles for surrounding parking complexes.
“If you own and operate your own fueling station, your per gallon cost is much lower since the compression is what you’re really paying for,” Ockers explained. Under such conditions, gas prices could fall to roughly a dollar per gallon.
According to Ockers, CNG is compressed to 3,600 psi. The compression is required in order to fit enough fuel onboard to provide the vehicle with sufficient range. The 3,600 figure is a good middle ground. Reduced storage capacity and range would result from lower pressures. Higher compression would allow for more gas to be stored, but it would necessitate thicker, more expensive tanks.
According to Ockers, oil became the primary fuel source in the early days of automobiles because of its widespread availability and inexpensive cost. Its popularity was boosted by the technological simplicity of building gas engines. Furthermore, oil has a high energy density, making transportation easier because less fuel could deliver more energy.
CNG vehicle owners who have a gas line to their garage and purchase the necessary equipment may be able to fill up at home. However, because compression would have to be done on-site, fueling would take many hours.
Costs that are incurred up front can be difficult to swallow. According to an information sheet from NGVAmerica, a trade association that promotes natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, converting a light-duty vehicle to CNG can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000.
Part of the rationale for the large initial outlays, according to Ockers, is EPA rulemaking. Every prospective engine/chassis combination conversion kit must be certified by the EPA. The kits must then be re-certified every year, which costs tens of thousands of dollars. The criterion both boosts the cost and limits the amount of conversion combinations that can be used.
“Because (the EPA) has taken such a battering,” Ockers added, “they finally released updated rules for conversion systems this month.”
As a result, there is a three-tiered process based on the car’s age. He claims it loosens some of the agency’s mandates. According to Ockers, the decision will likely pave the way for a larger-scale switch to natural gas. He also expects that tax incentives included in pending legislation would be included in the NAT GAS Act, which is presently being considered by Congress.
“It’ll probably be a few more years before more conversion kits become available,” he said. “It will be determined by demand.”
CNG vehicles are primarily built as conversions in the United States, while Honda has offered its CNG Civic GX as an off-the-shelf alternative for over a decade. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more over $25,000, it’s approximately $7,000 more expensive than the LX, its gas-powered rival. The supply is still restricted. According to Honda, the closest dealership that carries the automobiles is in Kansas City. Meanwhile, for the 2011 model year, GM has introduced CNG fleet vans.
Trucks and SUVs are the most popular vehicles for conversions. However, NaturalDrive, an EPA-certified vendor, does offer Chevrolet Impala conversions. NaturalDrive estimates that approximately 9 million vehicles globally run on natural gas, with 150,000 in the United States.
Is it possible for CNG vehicles to run on gasoline?
Many articles concerning CNG cars, their benefits and drawbacks, and whether or not to buy them can be found on the internet. We’ve also written a number of articles explaining why one of these green cars should be your next vehicle of choice, as well as how to properly maintain it so that it stays as new under the hood and lasts as long as a gasoline or diesel vehicle. However, everyone has their own set of concerns! The majority of you submitted CNG-related questions in the comments section of our prior articles, and I did my best to respond to each one.
Which CNG car is the best?
The solution is straightforward and straightforward. The vehicle you see above is India’s best CNG vehicle. People choose CNG because it produces more kilometers per kilogram of gas, and the Maruti Suzuki WagonR delivers 32.52km per kilogram! No one else, in my opinion, claims or provides more than this! If you want a less expensive option, the Maruti S-Presso CNG is a good choice. Those seeking for a CNG sedan may consider the Hyundai Aura, which offers a wealth of features as well as the ability to run on CNG. As of now, the Ertiga is the only 7-seater CNG vehicle on the market with factory-installed CNG.