When it comes to fuel economy how much cheaper is natural gas vs regular gas?

[One Awesome Inch]

When it comes to fuel economy how much cheaper is natural gas vs regular gas?

 

[sephson]

Ah, but what if you find a relatively low priced vehicle that's already been converted? Would that possibly be worth considering?

 

[LeeRevell]

Navigation and long distance driving could be difficult, as NG filling stations are harder to find.  It just doesn't have the infrastructure nationwide to make it viable, other than for local fleet use.  Same with electric-only.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Ah, but what if you find a relatively low priced vehicle that's already been converted? Would that possibly be worth considering?

No.  Propane is stored as a liquid, the tanks operate at around 400 psi.  CNG is just that - COMPRESSED Natural GAS.  It's typically at 3,000 or 3,600 psi.  The CNG tanks have a finite lifespan, they can't be recertified, they can't be refilled once they are expired, and they are VERY expensive to buy.

If someone is trying to dump a CNG vehicle, odds are it's because the CNG tanks are reaching end-of-life.

So the answer is not just no, it's probably HELL NO!

Regards
John

 

[One Awesome Inch]

John, wiith that post you probably just saved me big money.

Much appreciated!

 

[Spirituallifetime]

There have been alternative fuels pushed for many years, none of them have been able to beat diesel or gasoline for fuel economy! The only reason they are pushed is that they burn cleaner. If CNG or any other fuel was considerably cheaper cars would made to run on it. Cars manufacturers are moving to alcohol fuels, but this is pushed by the EPA for cleaner cars.

 

[highdesertranger]

I would stay well away from CNG, propane now that's different. remember that both CNG and propane have a lower BTU rating then gas or diesel. what that means is less power and less fuel economy per any given amount of fuel. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

John, wiith that post you probably just saved me big money.

Much appreciated!

Your welcome.  New York State was dumping a bunch of CNG pickups at their auctions recently.  I noticed that half the ads said the tanks were "expired" and the other half listed tank expiration dates that were less than a year away.  That made me curious, I had never heard of that before, and that's why I did a little research on the subject. 

Regards
John

 

[Wanderer]

Hey, thanks also for that posting. I was looking at a vehicle which has the CNG also and now seeing what the issues are, will run far away from them. Just saw a van which uses CNG (2003) so it's coming due in a year.

http://www.government-fleet.com/article/story/2010/05/what-happens-when-your-cng-tanks-expire.aspx

"Most NGVs are retired well before their cylinders expire," says Stephe Yborra, director of market analysis, education, and communications for the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation (CVEF), a nonprofit working on NGV industry technology research, development, and design, and codes and standards.

The dilemma has surfaced primarily in California, where early adoption of NGVs in the 1990s was strongest and a mild climate has prompted a growing number of school buses, municipal trucks, and some light-duty vehicles outlasting their CNG cylinder's 15-year lifespan.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

How hard is it to remove a cng tank? Just extra weight to decrease mpg if the vehicle is duel fuel like the van I am considering.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Sorry, that, I don't know the answer to.  Maybe HDR does.

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

sorry I have zero experience with CNG. however if the vehicle is dual fuel I would imagine you could just unbolt the tank and plug the line. but like I said I have never worked on CNG vehicles. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

And this illustrates the other problem with CNG vehicles.  Think you're having a hard time finding a good, honest mechanic to work on your gasoline engine vehicle for a fair price?  Try finding one who's competent to diagnose and work on CNG systems.

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

While the concept of a DUAL fuel vehicle is interesting,  the practicalities of CNG make it less beneficial.  But if you are in a larger city with a CNG station, it could be useful.  But that heavy tank will normally be a waste of space and weight allowance.  I'd find a good mechanic who has worked with CNG to do the removal, considering the CNG is likely under pressure.  It would worry me to be working with a flammable gas under pressure.

 

[wagoneer]

run don't walk anyone except PG&E should not run Natural gas

 

[Wanderer]

I did a web search and I find it very funny that it's VERY easy to find instructions to changing a gas to CNG but not the other way around.

But also there's many who say "Will the cost of doing it save you money or is it better to simply buy a gas powered vehicle instead"?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

run don't walk anyone except PG&E should not run Natural gas

I find myself in agreement with wagoner.  CNG MAY make sense for fleets like taxis and busses, utility companies, and so on.  They have their own garages, their own trained mechanics, and their own refueling facilities.  Lacking those things, individuals are better off staying away from them.

Regards
John

 

[sephson]

Alright, I'm convinced!

This is the engine we all need:

 

[One Awesome Inch]

So if I buy a van that is duel CNG & regular gasoline will your standard skilled mechanic have any problems with fixing the van? Assuming I am just skipping the CNG and just driving it on regular gasoline.

 

[SoulRaven]

My -GUESS- is that most mechanics wouldn't touch it...