WHAT IS CNG ? CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas. It is a gaseous fuel and is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly methane in the range of 95%. Due to its low density, it is compressed to a pressure of 200 bar to enhance the vehicle on-board storage capacity IS CNG SAFE ? Yes, it is safe. The properties of CNG make it a safe fuel. It is lighter than air, and hence in case of leakage it disperses into the atmosphere rapidly. Its high auto-ignition temperature of 540 degrees centigrade as against petrol’s 360 degrees centigrade makes it even more safe fuel. CNG also has a narrow inflammability range of 5% to 15%, making it much safer than other fuels. WHICH TYPE OF VEHICLES CAN BE CONVERTED INTO CNG? All spark-ignited engines can be converted to CNG, for which a specially designed conversion kit is required for the conversion process. The kit consists of a cylinder to be fixed in the boot of the car and other equipment’s to allow gas flow into the engine. COST OF CONVERTING A VEHICLE TO A CNG-FRIENDLY ONE? The cost of converting a vehicle to CNG depends on the type of your vehicle and CNG kit. Presently, the cost of conversion ranges between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 (approximately). CNG RATES ? CNG is considered a cheaper, greener and cleaner alternative fuel as compared to petrol and diesel. This has prompted several automakers in India to focus on and launch CNG variants of different cars. WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT OF A CNG CYLINDER? CNG cylinders are manufactured from a special steel alloy and are seamless in construction. Their compact size allows them to easily fit into a small car. An empty CNG cylinder with a 50 litre-water-carrying capacity weighs 48 kg (approximately), and has a length of 835 mm and a diameter of 316 mm. The 50 litre capacity cylinder is the one most regularly used in CNG kits but cylinders with 45 litre, 55 litre, 60 litre and 65 litre capacity are used as well. WILL MY FUEL EXPENSES REDUCE AFTER CONVERSION TO CNG? Yes, the fuel bill on the basis of average running of vehicle reduces substantially when compared to other conventional fuels DOES CNG HAVE ANY HARMFUL EFFECT ON THE ENGINE? Owing to CNG's distinct features, it does not contaminate or dilute crankcase oil, giving a new lease of life to the engine. The absence of any lead content in CNG helps avoid lead fouling of plugs, thereby enhancing plug life. As CNG enters the engine in the form of a gas (and not as a spray or mist like other fuels), no carbon is generated during the combustion of CNG reducing the chances of wear and tear. ARE FACTORY FITTED CNG VARIANTS OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AVAILABLE? Yes. All major vehicle manufacturers like TATA, Mahindra, Eicher, SML etc have CNG variants of their popular models like- Tata Ace, Magic, Xenon, 407, 709, 909, 1109, 1512 Bus, 1616 Bus, 909 Bus CNG Hy bus Mahindra Pick up, Maximo, Loadking, DI 3200, Eicher 10.5, Skyline Bus, SML- TI 3500 Bus, Supreme, Sartaj, Force Motors Trump20, Traveler minibus Ashok Leyland Dost, Bus 1613 etc. IMPACT OF CNG KIT ON THE PAYLOAD OF A VEHICLE. Factory fitted CNG vehicles have the same payload that of a diesel vehicle, however in case of retro fitment payload of the vehicle is reduced to the tune of cylinders weight only. DOES CNG KIT REQUIRE SERVICING ? CNG kit is safe and simple. It gives years of trouble free operation. It doesn’t require frequent servicing. Just as for all other fuels, it is advised to have routine services. An authorized person should be consulted for service. As per Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981, the cylinder should undergo hydro-stretch testing every 3 years to check pressure tolerance. WILL I LOOSE MY BOOT SPACE IF I CONVERT MY CAR INTO CNG ? On an average, vehicle owners lose about one third of their boot space when a car is converted to CNG. The boot space also depends upon the size of vehicle and cylinder make. However people who wish to convert to CNG can still install carriers on their vehicles to compensate for the lost boot space.
CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas. It is a gaseous fuel and is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly methane in the range of 95%. Due to its low density, it is compressed to a pressure of 200 bar to enhance the vehicle on-board storage capacity
Yes, it is safe. The properties of CNG make it a safe fuel. It is lighter than air, and hence in case of leakage it disperses into the atmosphere rapidly. Its high auto-ignition temperature of 540 degrees centigrade as against petrol’s 360 degrees centigrade makes it even more safe fuel. CNG also has a narrow inflammability range of 5% to 15%, making it much safer than other fuels.
All spark-ignited engines can be converted to CNG, for which a specially designed conversion kit is required for the conversion process. The kit consists of a cylinder to be fixed in the boot of the car and other equipment’s to allow gas flow into the engine.
The cost of converting a vehicle to CNG depends on the type of your vehicle and CNG kit. Presently, the cost of conversion ranges between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 (approximately).
CNG is considered a cheaper, greener and cleaner alternative fuel as compared to petrol and diesel. This has prompted several automakers in India to focus on and launch CNG variants of different cars.
CNG cylinders are manufactured from a special steel alloy and are seamless in construction. Their compact size allows them to easily fit into a small car. An empty CNG cylinder with a 50 litre-water-carrying capacity weighs 48 kg (approximately), and has a length of 835 mm and a diameter of 316 mm. The 50 litre capacity cylinder is the one most regularly used in CNG kits but cylinders with 45 litre, 55 litre, 60 litre and 65 litre capacity are used as well.
Yes, the fuel bill on the basis of average running of vehicle reduces substantially when compared to other conventional fuels
Owing to CNG's distinct features, it does not contaminate or dilute crankcase oil, giving a new lease of life to the engine. The absence of any lead content in CNG helps avoid lead fouling of plugs, thereby enhancing plug life. As CNG enters the engine in the form of a gas (and not as a spray or mist like other fuels), no carbon is generated during the combustion of CNG reducing the chances of wear and tear.
Yes. All major vehicle manufacturers like TATA, Mahindra, Eicher, SML etc have CNG variants of their popular models like- Tata Ace, Magic, Xenon, 407, 709, 909, 1109, 1512 Bus, 1616 Bus, 909 Bus CNG Hy bus Mahindra Pick up, Maximo, Loadking, DI 3200, Eicher 10.5, Skyline Bus, SML- TI 3500 Bus, Supreme, Sartaj, Force Motors Trump20, Traveler minibus Ashok Leyland Dost, Bus 1613 etc.
Factory fitted CNG vehicles have the same payload that of a diesel vehicle, however in case of retro fitment payload of the vehicle is reduced to the tune of cylinders weight only.
CNG kit is safe and simple. It gives years of trouble free operation. It doesn’t require frequent servicing. Just as for all other fuels, it is advised to have routine services. An authorized person should be consulted for service. As per Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981, the cylinder should undergo hydro-stretch testing every 3 years to check pressure tolerance.
On an average, vehicle owners lose about one third of their boot space when a car is converted to CNG. The boot space also depends upon the size of vehicle and cylinder make. However people who wish to convert to CNG can still install carriers on their vehicles to compensate for the lost boot space.
