The benefit of CNG is not just the low price. We’re interested in the impact that fuels have on the environment, ever striving to lower our emissions.
Natural gas contains less carbon than traditional hydrocarbon fuels and, therefore, emits much less CO2 as a vehicle fuel.
Because NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles) start with cleaner fuel and have a very clean combustion process (meaning when running the vehicle), it is easier to guarantee good emissions performance during the whole lifetime of the vehicle.
Note: there is a difference between examining the impact of the whole process (full lifespan of the vehicle) and just what the vehicle emits when running.
For passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, natural gas emission are 7% lower than diesel and 23% lower than gasoline; for trucks and buses, the reductions are 6% and 16%, respectively.
Additionally, NGVs are much cleaner in terms of local pollutants such as particulates, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides.
It’s important to say that the full potential of gas engines has not yet been deployed. Optimised gas engines, using direct injection and higher compression ratios, will become as energy efficient as diesel engines, meaning greater CO2 emission reduction can be achieved.
While NGVs emit approximately 23% less CO2 than gasoline, which is substantial, savings compared with diesel, at around 7%, are more modest. This is, of course, without even involving renewable gas in the mix.