Alternative Fuels: Basics of Natural Gas (CNG) Car Conversions and Kits

In fact, several big-name companies are switching their trucks to this fuel source. Frito-Lay added 67 CNG trucks to their fleet, and Waste Management plans to add 35 to its Houston, Texas fleet. Regular people drive them too. The 2012 Honda Civic is one of the natural gas vehicles that are affordable to consumers!

Can I save money by using CNG or LNG in my car?

Buying a vehicle that runs on CNG or LNG could save you money. Consumer Reports states that when you refuel at home, CNG can cost 50 percent less than gasoline, and when you visit a fueling station, it could cost 30 percent less. Plus, there is currently an oversupply of this fuel in the country, and many suppliers are slashing their prices for residential use. You can see this particularly from many Pennsylvania natural gas companies. An oversupply can translate into savings when it's used as a fuel source for your car!

As you can see, natural gas vehicles are on the edge of revolutionizing the way we drive in America. Keep your eye out on the road for them - you'll probably drive next to one sooner than you'd think!

The price of crude oil is getting higher and higher. This has a direct impact on our economy because higher oil prices mean costlier gasoline. For most Americans and their families, car fuel is one of the biggest expenses the pay and it can easily reach over $400 per month. Sure there are opportunities for mass transit, expensive new hybrids, and other alternative fuel vehicles. However, most of these are not practical for the vast majority of Americans. Most people just need the ability to control or reduce their transportation costs.

The US has been using Compressed Natural Gas aka "CNG" ("methane") in homes for decades. It burns very clean, is relatively inexpensive, and we source this fuel domestically in the USA. In fact, most countries in Europe and Asia have also been using CNG as an alternative fuel for vehicles for many years. Other countries use CNG "bi-fuel" engines (runs on either CNG or gasoline) in their cars and trucks. The US is now facing increased gasoline prices and drivers are searching for ways to avoid traditional fossil fuels. To make CNG even more attractive, natural gas prices are near record lows! Gasoline prices are over $4.00 per gallon and CNG less than half that price in most areas. The typical middle class driver can't afford to just sell his/her car and then buy a brand new NGV (natural gas vehicle) for $30,000 (not to mention the vehicle is probably a compact!). This is where the CNG car conversion kit becomes of interest.

CNG car conversion kits have been around for decades and the technology is very reliable. There are two main types of systems: 1) Sequential electronic fuel injection kit- usually the most efficient and technologically sound for OBDII vehicles (1996 and later car models), and 2) The "venturi" or "mixer" system which is cheaper, does not use a computer, and bypasses the injectors. There are also four basic components of the CNG car conversion kit:

1. The CNG cylinder (high pressure tank)

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