CNG in its full form and how CNG cars impact mobility in India

Petrol and diesel are now on the verge of being overtaken. With fuel prices soaring and the world in need of greener approaches, it would be prudent to watch fuel prices now. Among the ever-increasing alternatives to gasoline and diesel, compressed natural gas may be considered one of many alternatives. Completely compressed, more economical and cleaner, it will definitely revolutionize the transportation system. Ever wonder why so many people are switching to CNG?

In this blog, we’ll look at what CNG consists of, its benefits and how it can make transportation more sustainable.

What is compressed natural gas?

CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas, clean and economically viable. It is an alternative to other fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel. By the definition of CNG, the gas contains more than 90% methane (CH4) but is only one percent of its original volume.

CNG is different from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in that although they both use high-pressure gas, the gas in a liquefied state in the tank is stored in a vapor state in CNG even after compression. These properties make it a viable gas for mobile, residential as well as industrial applications.

Main characteristics of CNG

• work: Mainly methane (85–95%), with small amounts of ethane, propane and carbon dioxide.

• state: It is stored in high-pressure cylinders but remains in a gaseous state

• Flammable: It is a flammable substance as it has a higher ignition temperature (~540°C) than gasoline and is harmless

• Eco-friendliness: Relatively low emissions compared to conventional fuels

• weight: Lighter than air, it disappears as soon as it leaks.

Understanding what CNG is and its properties helps us understand why it is quickly becoming the preferred choice in transportation.

CNG complete table explanation

The full form of CNG is Compressed Natural Gas, which contains three main properties:

compression: CNG is compressed and can store a large amount of energy in a small volume, so it can be used in cars.

natural: Compressed natural gas is extracted from natural reserves and is a cleaner burning fossil fuel than gasoline or diesel.

gas: Unlike LPG or LNG (liquefied natural gas), CNG remains in a gaseous state, which enhances its safety.

CNG vehicles: the future of sustainable transportation

CNG vehicles are developed to run on compressed natural gas, a sustainable automotive fuel alternative. CNG cars can run on pure CNG or on dual fuel, switching from CNG to gasoline, depending on the availability or regulation of driving conditions. At the same time, it provides consumers and manufacturers with further attractiveness for CNG vehicles – the cheapest transportation prices in the future, thanks to technological advancements and expansion of refueling infrastructure.

Related: Best CNG Cars Under 10 Lakhs in India

Benefits of CNG Vehicles

1. Less running costs

• The cost per kilometer of CNG vehicles is significantly lower compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
• High mileage and lower maintenance costs make them more affordable.

2. Low emissions during operation

• CNG vehicles emit relatively less emissions, resulting in cleaner urban air.
• The best vehicle for the environmentally conscious driver.

3. Government initiatives

• Most governments around the world, including that of India, provide subsidies and incentives for the use of CNG to encourage an increase in the number of CNG-fueled vehicles.
• Tax exemptions and lower registration fees for CNG vehicles provide further cost savings.

4. Dual fuel system operation

• It benefits greatly from CNG cars. CNG cars are an easy switch for drivers as they can easily switch from petrol to CNG if they do not have access to a CNG filling station.

Best-selling CNG vehicle in India

Due to the increasing consumer preference for environmentally friendly companies, many automobile manufacturers have launched CNG models in the market.

Here are some of the most suitable CNG vehicles in India:

1. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG

• Performance: ~34.05km/kg
• Price: Rs 6.89 lakh (ex-showroom)

2. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios CNG

• Performance: ~27km/kg
• Price: Rs 7.68 lakh (ex-showroom)

3. Tata Thiago CNG

• Fuel economy: ~26km/kg
• On-road price: Rs 6.55 lakh

4. Toyota Glanza CNG

• Fuel economy: ~30.61km/kg
• On-road price: Rs 9.70 lakh

Also read: The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient CNG Cars of 2024

CNG infrastructure in India

India has been a leader in CNG infrastructure development and public adoption has been rapid. By 2024, there will be more than 4,500 CNG filling stations in operation across the country. Major metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad are leading the way in the integration of CNG, not only in public transport systems but also in private vehicles.

The Indian government aims to increase the contribution of natural gas to the energy industry to 15% by 2030 from 6.7% in 2020, so CNG infrastructure will play an important role in the industry.

final thoughts

Those who want to choose this environmentally friendly fuel should know what CNG means. Additionally, they are cheap vehicles and do not cause much damage to the air. There are other types of CNG services that are very comprehensive in nature and can provide installation and maintenance services, as well as installation consulting services.

Make the smart choice for your budget and the environment – ​​use CNG today!