The fuel CNG – which stands for "compressed natural gas" – is the most important fuel in the world, In other words, compressed natural gas outperforms "autogas" in terms of range and carbon footprint (LPG). While LPG is a waste product of oil refining, CNG can be produced not only from natural gas but also from biogas. And in the future, natural gas cars will even run on wind energy: with "power-to-gas"-method produces synthetic CNG from CO2-free electricity and water for climate-friendly mobility. The technology for this is already available today.
What is natural gas as fuel / CNG?
NATURAL GAS in the tank – the favorable alternative
The trip to the gas pump has sometimes become an expensive pleasure. Natural gas vehicles now offer a smart alternative.
At the gas pump, natural gas vehicles are clearly superior to cars with conventional combustion engines in terms of costs. The fuels super, diesel and autogas are sold at gas stations in the unit of measurement liter. Natural gas, on the other hand, is billed in kilograms. However, the energy contents of the individual fuels are different.
NATURAL GAS in the tank – the environmentally friendly alternative
Numerous studies show that natural gas cars are safe, economical and environmentally friendly. They contribute to air pollution control as well as to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and are thus becoming increasingly important.
Compared to diesel vehicles, natural gas has significant advantages in terms of noise and critical air pollutants.
- Nitrogen oxides (nox) can damage health. They cause irritation of the respiratory organs and endanger especially small children and asthmatics. Natural gas cars emit only a very small amount of nitrogen oxides in comparison.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) reduces oxygen levels in the blood and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory paralysis. for natural gas cars, this value is also very low compared to gasoline and diesel.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is harmful to the climate. In the long term, it causes climate change. Among the burners at the natural gas vehicle the best CO2 balance.
- The quietness of natural gas vehicles is particularly noticeable in larger vehicles. Noise damage caused by motor vehicle traffic is unfortunately often given too little attention.
- Natural gas vehicles do not need soot filters to be more environmentally friendly: they emit almost no fine particles.
Source: DVGW, *1 in comparison to diesel (incl. 6), *2 compared to the charging process for electric vehicles
natural gas in the tank – natural gas cars
Natural gas vehicles are not only environmentally friendly and economical. They are also versatile, dynamic and in no way inferior to cars with conventional internal combustion engines. Moreover, the engines can run on both natural gas and gasoline.
The combination of the drive system makes it possible to cover enormous distances at comparatively low fuel costs. Automotive experts see promising potential in natural gas drive systems. In recent years, the range of models has expanded enormously and offers vehicles suitable for all purposes.
An overview of the current natural gas vehicles can be found at our partner of zukunft gas e. V.: