CNG is a greener fuel alternative

There is a global push towards sustainability and green initiatives, especially in the automotive industry. Every second, two brand new vehicles enter the roads which increases the environmental impact of one of the biggest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. Between 80% to 90% of vehicles’ negative effect on the environment stems from petrol and diesel fuel, which produces air pollution and greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Countries have set green goals to decrease the number of traditional combustion engine vehicles (EVs) on the road and encourage investment in new automotive technologies.

In 2021, two-thirds of Norway’s new car sales were electric. China, meanwhile, is currently the world's largest market for electric cars owing to low-cost offers and most importantly, regulatory incentives, which include EV owners avoiding restrictions or driving bans on certain days that only apply to combustion engine vehicles in Chinese megacities.

For developing countries such as South Africa, where only 0.02% of all domestic automotive sales were electric in 2020, there needs to be a combined approach. One which utilises fuel alternatives that are cleaner and greener in combination with electric-powered automobiles.

The US is an example of a country making use of a combination of alternative fuels. As of 2020, nearly 1 000 public compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling stations were available in the US and 2021 saw an increase in the nation’s electric car sales. CNG is a naturally occurring product in underground pockets in bedrock structures.

As a vehicle fuel, natural gas can lessen GHG emissions over conventional fuels, depending on vehicle type, duty cycle and engine calibration. CNG and CNG equipment supplier CNG Holdings group sales head and marketing manager Wayne Williams explains that natural gas vehicle (NGVs) conversions are more suited to fleet vehicles as the return on investment is better. A vehicle used for commercial purposes – typically accumulating many kilometres – is suitable to be converted to an NGV in order to take advantage of the conversion technology and cost effectiveness.

“Besides being good for the environment, CNG is also the smart, economical choice. Towards the end of last year, CNG was about R8 cheaper than diesel and R11 cheaper than petrol,” says Williams.

Unlike liquified petroleum gas (LPG), CNG is not a by-product of crude oil and, consequently, is not subject to crude oil-related price adjustments. CNG pricing is also not linked to the exchange rate. Williams says there have only been a mere four price adjustments in the past five years for CNG. In the wake of significant increases in petrol and diesel prices, CNG-fuelled vehicles can significantly reduce the cost to businesses in the long run and ensure that they are shielded from future increases, adds Williams.

An additional bonus is that CNG is a safer alternative to LPG. Furthermore, diesel is often stolen, which is costly for businesses. Anr advantage of using CNG is that fuel cannot be stolen because the cylinders are much harder to move and generally have limited resale value.

CNG Holdings has successfully converted large-scale fleets for both government and businesses to NGVs in South Africa. The conversion kit for a vehicle does not require any mechanical changes to the engine, consequently allowing for an easy transfer of the kit to another vehicle.

When the kit has been fitted with the appropriate number of gas cylinders onto the vehicle, the kit is then programmed in order to optimise the fuel saving, maximise the substitution level and set the kit to accommodate the specific conditions in which the vehicle primarily travels.

The lifespan of a kit is about 20 years and it can be transferred between vehicles at a nominal cost. The initial capital expense is, therefore, a once-off cost that has significant returns.