Sustainability and environmental friendliness are also playing an increasingly important role when buying a car. While both manufacturers and customers are increasingly turning to electric drives, gasoline and diesel are losing their appeal. In the discussion about environmentally friendly alternatives, however, another variant, namely the natural gas car, is often neglected. The natural gas drive is a proven technology that scores not only in terms of reliability and suitability for everyday use, but also in terms of environmental protection.
What is natural gas anyway?
Natural gas, like petroleum, is one of the organic raw materials that generate energy when burned. At around 85 percent methane the largest component of natural gas and is therefore clearly ahead of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which account for about ten percent. Other components with a significantly lower proportion are various higher hydrocarbons, like z.B. Propane, butane and ethane.
LNG for commercial vehicles& CNG for cars
When it comes to powering natural gas cars different natural gas variants for use. Besides liquid natural gas, the vehicle generally known as the liquified natural gas, briefly LNG, compressed natural gas is available. Whereas LNG is used almost exclusively to power commercial vehicles, monovalent CNG, this is the abbreviation for compressed natural gas, primarily passenger car engines on.
As a rule, CNG cars have several natural gas tanks (source: skoda)
H-gas& L-gas: the methane content is crucial for the efficiency of CNG
CNG is offered in germany as H-gas as well as L-gas. the crucial difference between the two variants is the amount of methane they contain.
Seat arona 1.0 TGI xcellence
fuel combustion.*: 3.5 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 98 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
Fuel consumption.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
Fuel combustion.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
H-gas is characterized by a higher methane content and therefore provides for the same amount of Longer range than L-gas. The price for a kilo of L-gas is correspondingly lower. By the way, natural gas is not delivered in liters like gasoline or diesel, but in kilograms.
By the way: Neither LNG nor the two CNG variants have anything in common with LPG, the liquid gas known as autogas. Liquefied petroleum gas is a liquid mixture of propane and butane produced during the extraction and processing of petroleum and natural gas. Natural gas cars can therefore not be fueled with autogas!
A another alternative is biogas, which is produced during the fermentation of biomass and is therefore score even higher in terms of environmental friendliness can be used as natural gas.
Monovalent or bivalent – a brief explanation
Natural gas cars, like gasoline-powered cars, are equipped with a internal combustion engine equipped. The main difference is the fuel used. Since the technology is largely identical, it is generally no problem to it is also possible to retrofit gasoline engines for gas operation. A basic distinction is made between bivalent and monovalent natural gas vehicles.
Bivalent vehicles – use of natural gas and gasoline
The bivalent models have the advantage that they can run on both natural gas and gasoline. You have two tanks, one for natural gas, one for gasoline. Natural gas is burned in control mode. When the natural gas supply is exhausted, there is an automatic switchover to gasoline operation. However, the choice of fuel can also be controlled manually.
In a bivalent natural gas car, the engine is powered by natural gas and gasoline (source: skoda)
Monovalent natural gas cars – (almost) pure natural gas propulsion
Monovalent vehicles are (almost) powered exclusively by natural gas. The engines of monovalent natural gas vehicles are more highly compressed and therefore enable optimum utilization of the higher energy content of natural gas. Compared to super gasoline, this is not 95 but 130 octane. However, even monovalent vehicles cannot do without gasoline. For starting and as an emergency reserve, these models also rely on super gasoline from a small extra tank.
Advantages and disadvantages of natural gas vehicles at a glance
The decision as to whether the purchase or. The benefits of leasing a natural gas car depend primarily on individual usage patterns. In principle, both advantages and disadvantages can be identified with gas vehicles.
Advantages of natural gas cars
The advantages of natural gas cars include..
- … which, compared to other combustibles better environmental performance.
- … the lower fuel costs compared to diesel and gasoline.
- .. lower taxes due to low emissions.
- … possible subsidies of municipalities in the purchase.
- .. discounted rates with many motor vehicle insurances.
- … in some cases with bivalent models higher ranges.
However, these advantages are also offset by a number of disadvantages, which should be weighed up when deciding for or against a natural gas car.
Seat arona 1.0 TGI xcellence
Fuel burn.*: 3.5 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 98 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
Fuel burn.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
Fuel consumption.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
Disadvantages of natural gas cars
The disadvantages of a natural gas car include..
- … the limited number of filling stations.
- … the reduced trunk space by additional tanks.
- … of the higher purchase price.
- … the relative small model selection.
If you can live with these disadvantages and compensate for the higher purchase costs based on your annual mileage, a natural gas car is an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline and diesel vehicles.
Preconceptions of natural gas cars cleared up
Natural gas cars are explosive, carcinogenic and prohibited in underground garages – prejudices like these still prevent many drivers from converting to a gas-powered vehicle. We explain what these prejudices are all about.
Myth 1: cars running on natural gas are explosive and a fire hazard
It is not uncommon for discussions about natural gas cars to raise doubts about their safety. However, these are completely unfounded with modern vehicles. Fear of explosions or fires has no basis whatsoever. In the event of an accident, the gas is released via safety valves without risk to passengers or first responders. In the open air, the mixture evaporates immediately.
Even if a vehicle catches fire, there is no danger. In such a case, the contents of the gas tank burned off in a controlled manner. A risk of explosion is therefore excluded in any situation.
Myth 2: natural gas is carcinogenic
There is also no danger to health from toxic or carcinogenic substances in natural gas.
Myth 3: Natural gas cars are not allowed to park in parking garages or underground garages
Another misconception concerns parking with natural gas cars. A parking ban for gas-powered vehicles in underground garages and other closed collective garages no longer exists in the new version of the garages ordinance of the federal states. Nevertheless, corresponding notices can still be found on some garages. If in doubt, drivers of natural gas vehicles should point out the new regulations to the operators of parking garages.
Parking prohibited? Incorrect! natural gas cars now have the right to park in underground garages and parking garages
To ensure the safety of gas-powered cars at all times, the prescribed inspection intervals but must be meticulously adhered to. In addition, it is also advisable to regular inspection of the tank for corrosion and possible rust damage.
What to bear in mind when refueling natural gas cars
When purchasing a car with natural gas, the question often arises as to where and how the gas can be refueled at all.
Where can I fill up with natural gas?
To refuel, a natural gas car also goes to a completely normal gas station. However, by no means all stations offer this service. Of the total of just under 14.500 gas stations in germany only about 850 also offer natural gas. For longer journeys, it may therefore be necessary to plan the route according to the refueling possibilities. Information on where to fill up with natural gas can be found on websites such as z.B. Gibgas.De or natural gas.Info. The ADAC and other organizations also provide information on this subject.
By the way: you can always find the right gas station with these fuel apps!
Filling up with natural gas in other european countries
For trips to other european countries, the network of natural gas filling stations is often considerably thinner. Italy and switzerland make an exception here. CNG vehicles are quite popular with our southern neighbors, which means that there are more filling stations available. However, it may be necessary to press a release button to refuel at foreign stations adapter necessary. In many cases, however, this can be borrowed locally.
Tip: you are planning a road trip through european countries? Then you should also take into account the cost of tolls and toll stickers.
How to fill up with natural gas?
The actual refueling process differs from refueling a gasoline or diesel engine primarily in the way it is handled. Instead of hanging a nozzle in a filler neck, natural gas refueling is done with an fuelling nozzle is placed on a nipple and then locked in place.
Natural gas is not refueled in liters, but in kilograms (source: skoda)
Only when the lock is in place can the refueling process be started by the pressing an enable button be started. As soon as the gas tank is filled, the process is automatically stopped.
Top 3 natural gas cars on the leasing market.De
Despite the electric car boom, some manufacturers still have environmentally friendly and interesting natural gas models in their lineup. Fiat offers a natural gas version for the panda, as does dacia for the sandero.
Seat arona 1.0 TGI xcellence
Fuel burn.*: 3.5 kg/100 km (comb.), CO2 emissions*: 98 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
fuel consumption.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
Dacia sandero stepway comfort tce 100 ECO-G (MY2021)
Fuel consumption.*: 6.7 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 105 g/km (comb.)
A wider range of natural gas cars can be found in the various brands of the VW Group. into the top-3 most popular natural gas cars on leasing market.The VW golf, the skoda octavia and the seat arona have done it.
1. VW golf – natural gas range of 400 kilometers
Even in its natural gas version, the eighth edition of the bestseller from wolfsburg scores with typical golf qualities. The compact VW Golf offers moderate dimensions, sufficient space, high quality workmanship and materials, state-of-the-art technology, and a wide range of options for customization. In the natural gas version 1.5 TGI the golf 130 HP.
Whether as a combustion engine, electric vehicle or natural gas car: the VW golf convinces in all variants
VW gives the consumption as average 4.2 kilograms per 100 kilometers at. Together, the three natural gas tanks a capacity of 17.3 kilograms. This results in natural gas range of about 400 kilometers. Additionally there is gasoline tank that holds nine liters. Due to this concept, the trunk volume the five-door sedan by almost 90 to 291 liters.
Tip: if you need more space, these cars with large trunks could be the right choice for you.
2. Skoda octavia – 17.3 kilograms of natural gas from three gas tanks
The same natural gas engine as in the VW golf can also be found in the skoda octavia. The popular czech can also convince as an environmentally friendly natural gas burner. The spacious success model is available as a four-door sedan with large tailgate and offered as a particularly family-friendly station wagon.
The skoda octavia also scores as an environmentally friendly CNG vehicle
Under realistic everyday conditions, the skoda octavia G-tec between 3.6 and 4.5 kilograms per 100 kilometers. With the 17.3 kilograms natural gas from the three gas tanks comes the octavia ca. 500 kilometers far. The nine liters from the additional gasoline tank make another 190 kilometers possible.
3. Seat arona – family-friendly natural gas SUV
Third place among the most popular natural gas cars on the leasing market.De comes from the VW group. The seat arona belongs to the booming class of the mini SUV. The 4.14 meters long family car is arona TGI with a one-liter three-cylinder equipped, the 90 HP performs. The city SUV consumes an average amount of fuel in the everyday test 4.2 kilograms of gas per 100 kilometers.
Seat also offers the arona mini SUV as a natural gas variant
Seat arona 1.0 TGI xcellence
Fuel consumption.*: 3.5 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 98 g/km (comb.)
Seat arona style fast lane1.0 TGI
Fuel consumption.*: 3.5 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 96 g/km (comb.)
Seat arona style CNG fast lane 1.0 TGI 6-speed
Fuel consumption.*: 3.4 kg/100 km (combi.), CO2 emissions*: 94 g/km (combo.)
Like its corporate siblings, the seat arona TGI is equipped with three gas tanks three gas tanks and a gasoline depot equipped. When all the tanks are completely filled, the spanish car’s gas supply delivers about 330 kilometers far. Further approx. the nine liters from the gasoline tank make 100 kilometers possible. With restrained driving, longer ranges are of course also possible with natural gas vehicles.
Tip: you are considering buying a natural gas car? Make sure you take a test drive beforehand. This is how you find out whether the environmentally friendly drive really suits you. In our article on the subject of test drives, we tell you how best to prepare for them.