Compressed natural gas: myths and reality

Alternative fuels for motorists are an economical solution. After all, the cost of gasoline increases monthly, and wages, for most people, remain unchanged. Compressed natural gas helps keep finances in the family budget.

Due to the transition of motorists to blue fuel (methane or propane), the owners of the oil business fell sales. Therefore, it is not surprising that natural gas is overgrown with myths. The survey shows that 15% of car owners avoid an alternative type of fuel.

Compressed natural gas

• Natural gas car driving is difficult. The loss of power, in comparison with gasoline, is really visible and amounts to about 10-20%. In general, the car behaves the same on the road. In order to eliminate the loss of vehicle power, which is extremely necessary for overtaking, car manufacturers make corrections to the on-board computer. For example, if the speed increases above 5000, the engine automatically switches to gasoline.
• Gas cylinder is dangerous. In the factory version, the compressed natural gas tank is safe. The international standard obliges the manufacturer to strengthen the body of the product. Therefore, even in hot weather, with 100% filling, the balloon will not burst. The computer can bleed off excess gas and alert for leaks. In the context of safety, in case of accidents, the probability of an explosion is equated to gasoline tanks.

• Blue fuel does not pass the CO standard. It is only in post-Soviet countries that people pay fines to representatives of environmental services. In Asia and Europe, it’s easier to get fined with a gasoline engine. And compressed natural gas falls under the label “Environmentally Friendly Product”.
• The car will stop if gas runs out. The option is possible if there is no gas in the tank. Since, at the end of the blue fuel in the tank, the smart computer switches the car to gasoline. Or diesel - depending on which engine.
• It is impossible to go exclusively on gas. Can. Moreover, the range on a gas cylinder is higher than on gasoline. Experts note that most cars start up with gasoline, and after warming up the engine, it automatically switches to compressed natural gas. Therefore, if there is no gas in the tank, then the car turns into a brick. But here solutions are found. The on-board computer of the car allows, with some manipulations with the ignition and clamping of buttons, to start the engine on blue fuel.

The financial side

• Compressed natural gas costs as much as gasoline. This option is possible for a number of European countries where own oil is produced, and gas is delivered from Siberia. But, in terms of expediency, for most consumers, the use of gas reduces fuel costs by 30%. Gas installations pay off in the first two years, or earlier.
• Gas kills the engine. Environmentally friendly fuel a priori does not harm the car engine. But gas stations that have decided to make money on drivers are diluting the gas with impurities. It's the impurities that kill the engine. Spark plugs and filters, as with gasoline, are the first call to the driver that it is time to change the gas station.