Vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) operate similarly to those driven by gasoline and equipped with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The engine operates similarly to a gasoline engine. In a fuel tank, or cylinder, usually located in the back of the car, natural gas is kept. A pressure regulator lowers the high-pressure gas that is transferred from the fuel tank through the fuel lines by the CNG fuel system so that it is compatible with the engine’s fuel injection system. The fuel is then finally transferred to the combustion chamber or intake manifold, where it is combined with air, compressed, and ignited by a spark plug. Find out more about natural gas automobiles.
In This Article...
On a Honda Civic, what does CNG stand for?
It’s a compressed natural gas-powered Honda Civic (CNG). In actuality, it’s the sole factory-built CNG vehicle offered to non-fleet clients in the nation. Interesting, huh? Well, probably only if you reside in one of the 36 states that now sell the Civic CNG (greatly expanded from the four states where you could buy the previous CNG Civic). However, you might be relieved to learn that, according to the EPA, about 87 percent of the natural gas used in the U.S. is generated domestically if you reside where it is sold. It burns cleaner than gasoline as well.
It sounds nice that domestic fuels burn cleanly, but there is a problem with this Civic. There are a few, in fact. The car’s supply of CNG is kept in a 3600-psi tank that is located behind the back seats and reduces the trunk’s volume by half, to six cubic feet. The Civic CNG’s fuel capacity is equivalent to around eight gallons of gasoline in terms of energy. Honda gives a 220-mile range estimate, which is conservative. It notes that one factor in the cautious guarantee is that different stations fill the CNG tank in different ways, and that ambient temperatures might have an impact on how much you can fill the tank with fuel.
The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine must undergo a few changes in order to run on CNG, including stronger connecting rods to withstand the increased strain of a 12.7:1 compression ratio (up from 10.6), new valves and valve seats to address CNG’s nonlubricating properties, specialized fuel injectors, and a pressure regulator. The Civic CNG only generates 110 hp with all of this, which is 30 less than its gasoline cousin. By 22 lb-ft, the torque falls to 106.
Which automobiles run on natural gas?
The number of CNG cars offered by the automakers through their dealers and fleet sales network in the light-duty segment is steadily increasing. These are listed as follows:
- GMC Savana/Chevy Express van
- Honda Civic Gasoline
- GMC Impala
- Ram 2500 HD pickup vehicle from Dodge
- pickup truck, the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500
In addition, there is a lengthy list of late-model automobiles for which after-market conversion systems have received EPA approval. Many Ford vehicles that have the optional “gaseous engine prep package (specially toughened engine components) make them eligible for conversion to CNG by Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers,” which is available, fall under this category (QVMs.) Visit NGV America to learn more about new or used vehicles that can be adapted to run on natural gas as well as aftermarket conversions.
How long do CNG tanks for Honda Civics last?
Depending on their structure and how they were certified by the original manufacturer, CNG fuel tanks have a useful life of 15 to 20 years. Since tanks cannot be securely “requalified” for continued use, once they have reached their expiration date, they must be replaced. There is a label on every CNG tank that reads, “DO NOT USE AFTER (EXPIRATION DATE).” It might say, for instance, “DO NOT USE AFTER 01/2027.” You can also look for the CNG tank expiration date on a label under the hood or next to the fueling hookup. Owners of CNG vehicles should get into the habit of writing down the expiration date at regular maintenance intervals. They should also be aware that there is no national system in place to alert owners when their tanks are approaching their expiration date; instead, it is the responsibility of the vehicle owner or fleet manager to arrange for a tank replacement when it is time. View the Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Tank Defueling, Decommissioning, and Disposal video for more details on CNG tank end-of-life difficulties.
Good or bad natural gas vehicles?
Even by today’s strictest requirements, NGVs create only 5-10% of the emissions permitted, making them some of the cleanest commercial vehicles on the road. NGVs emit 20–30% fewer greenhouse gases than cars or trucks driven by gasoline or diesel.
Overall, natural gas is one of the modern world’s cleanest burning alternative fuels. NGVs can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and reactive hydrocarbons, which are the main components of ground-level ozone and the main cause of smog, by up to 95%. NGVs can also cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 30%, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 85%, and emissions of particulates that cause cancer by 99%.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In place of gasoline or diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) can assist lower greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a 2008 “well to wheels” research by TIAX, LLC, when compared to gasoline and diesel, natural gas can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 30% for light-duty cars and up to 23% for medium- to heavy-duty vehicles. The graph below illustrates how much CO2 has been saved by SoCalGas customers who drive CNG-powered vehicles as opposed to diesel-powered ones since 1999. That amount was over 229,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2008 alone!
Biogas: Renewable Reducer of Emissions
Affordable renewable energy like biogas has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions. It’s already been put to limited use in NGVs here in California, and it’s also being utilized successfully in some parts of Europe. We are investigating the use and distribution of biogas to our consumers.
Find out more information about biomethane production’s role in the sequestration of greenhouse gases from landfills, animal waste, sewage, and other sources from NGVAmerica*. An summary of the advantages of biogas can be found at the Alternate Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Department of Energy.
What drawbacks do natural gas vehicles have?
High Cost: One of the challenges is the high cost of putting this technology into use. A natural gas automobile will cost more to purchase than a petroleum vehicle because they are less common and accessible. Vehicles powered by natural gas are slower than those powered by gasoline.
Is gas less expensive than gasoline?
- Natural gas is safer than flammable liquid fuel since it dissipates in an accident and is lighter than air.
- Efficiency: You’ll spend far less filling up the tank even though equivalent models of cars driven by natural gas and gasoline get the same miles per gallon. The cost of natural gas is around half that of gasoline. The cleaner-burning fuel will also result in less frequent oil changes for your vehicle, according to Okhtay Darian, an energy engineer for New York-based Associated Renewable Inc.
Darian refers to compressed natural gas, saying, “A typical gasoline-powered car averages 32 miles per gallon but a CNG-powered car averages 43 miles per gallon.”
- Drive quickly: In some states, NGVs are permitted to utilize the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane at any time.
- Home advantage: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, between 80% and 90% of the natural gas we use is produced domestically.
What benefits and drawbacks can natural gas vehicles offer?
Major automakers are looking at a wide range of alternative sources of energy to power the vehicles coming off their assembly lines due to worries about global warming and the high cost of petroleum-based products. Currently, behind diesel and gasoline, propane is the third most popular fuel for transportation. Regrettably, the refinement of crude oil and the processing of natural gas result in the production of propane. It is therefore a fossil fuel, but it burns cleaner than more conventional fuels.
The majority of states and the U.S. Department of Energy offer a variety of incentives for using alternative fuel technology. Until the ideal solutions are found and put into action, this trend is anticipated to continue. A car that employs alternative fuels for road use to have less negative environmental effects than a typical internal combustion engine powered by gasoline or diesel is referred to as a green car, clean car, eco-friendly car, or environmentally friendly car.
Current Options for Green Vehicles
Alternative fuels that are currently being investigated and used for automobiles around the world are listed below:
- Plug-in hybrid cars have the advantage of running on electricity for short trips and on gas for longer ones. Cons: The car still need gas and its large, pricey batteries.
- CNG Vehicles – PROS: Compared to gasoline, compressed natural gas burns cleaner and is more affordable. Large tanks, a limited range, a non-renewable source, and a lack of recharging stations are the cons.
- Electric battery cars: PROs include strong torque, no toxic emissions, and low cost-per-mile operation. Cons: Limited range and lengthy recharge times make it inconvenient.
- Vehicles that operate on biodiesel – PROS: Renewable and fairly accessible; works in older diesel engines. CONS: More expensive than diesel, and supply problems.
- Ethanol-powered vehicles may be made from trash and waste and have fewer harmful emissions. Cons: Natural gas is currently used in production, and refueling infrastructure is quite limited.
- Vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells – PROs: Water vapor, a sustainable energy source with excellent mileage, is the emission. Cons: Storage demands high pressure and there are few places to recharge.
The production of automobiles that use alternative fuels will aid in lowering consumer gasoline costs, boosting national energy security, and reducing global pollution, according to the government’s energy.gov website.
How far can you travel on a CNG tank?
Compared to regular gas tanks, CNG tanks are substantially thicker and tougher. How far can a CNG vehicle travel? On average, you might be able to travel 200 miles on a tank of gas (or 100 miles each way). However, mileage fluctuates with different driving circumstances, so be aware of your fuel light.
Honda still produces CNG vehicles?
web designers Some have questioned what impact Honda’s decision to discontinue selling the Civic powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) could have on the entire natural gas vehicle (NGV) market in the United States.
What distinguishes natural gas from normal gas?
Our culture is now researching a variety of fuel substitutes, including ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas. Compressed natural gas, often known as CNG, is the most widely used type of natural gas. It is just natural gas that has been put under a lot of pressure. It competes with gasoline and is frequently used in air conditioners, heaters, and some cars. The following are some variations between the two:
Composition & Environmental Effects
While gasoline is primarily formed of carbon compounds, natural gas is primarily made of methane, which is produced primarily from hydrogen. Both originate from the soil, however carbon compounds come from crude oil while methane is found in natural reserves. Natural gas emits less hazardous emissions (such carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) than gasoline since it is primarily composed of hydrogen.
Price
The cost of natural gas and gasoline is one of their main distinctions. Due to the worldwide nature of the oil market, price fluctuations are inevitable. Oil is supplied to nations all around the world, thus any shift in supply or demand may have an impact on the price.
On the other hand, there isn’t a global market for natural gas. The majority of natural gas is pumped through underground pipelines rather than tankers, which keeps the supply constrained to the length of the pipeline. Due to this distinction, natural gas and gasoline frequently have higher price tags.
Efficiency
Since compressed natural gas isn’t a liquid, we must convert cubic feet to gallons when comparing compressed natural gas to gasoline. Therefore, 126.67 cubic feet of natural gas would be required to have the same efficiency as one gallon of gasoline. Despite the fact that this indicates that one gallon of gasoline is more efficient than one gallon of natural gas, price also matters: The average price of gasoline in April was $3.65 a gallon, while the average price of natural gas was $2.15 per GGE, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (gasoline-gallon equivalent). This implies that when it comes to natural gas, you might receive more for your money.