CNG Operated Cars in India

CNG operated cars are increasingly seen on roads since it is world-widely accepted as a greener fuel. Due to rising gasoline prices; natural gas vehicles are phenomenally used in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, Europe, and America.


Many gasoline internal combustion engine cars have now been converted into bi-fuel vehicles (gasoline/CNG). The only drawback is Compressed natural gas vehicles require a greater amount of space for fuel storage than conventional gasoline power vehicles.

CNG has been successfully consumed by pickup trucks, auto rickshaws transit and buses. The Indian central government has stressed that all public transportation including buses and autos should be run on CNG. This rule has already been implemented in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Compressed Natural Gas has emission ratings that cut down on harmful emissions by two thirds when compared to car fossil fuel emissions from petrol and diesel fuel types.

Thus regarding the major advantages of a CNG fuel system; several manufacturers are using the idea of natural gas power for not only small cars but also the larger mid-size sedans and luxury cars.

The Fueling Procedure

Among the three basic types of CNG refueling stations- Fast fueling stations that take about 5-10 mins for refueling and are perfect for retail roadside pumps. Slow fueling stations that take from 5-8hrs to fill are ideal for a fleet of heavy vehicles which have a long idling time. Whereas, combined Fast and Slow fueling stations can cater to both the above mentioned categories.

CNG fueling stations could be placed alongside petrol and diesel pumps too as CNG is generally transported to retail outlets by cylinder trucks. The whole process requires proper infrastructure and transportation as these trucks carry many cylinders that provide CNG to fuel stations which are not connected by pipelines.

Bi-fuel

Many experiments have been done to operate vehicles in dual mode like Petrol-CNG and Diesel-CNG. Some companies that initiated such experiments on vehicles are- TELCO, Kirloskar Cummins Ltd., Ashok Leyland, IBP, OIL, Delhi transport Corporation and Gujarat Road Transport Corporation and got satisfactory results.

Various vehicle manufacturers were requested to nominate workshops and undertake conversions on their vehicles by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). To train and initiate conversion from petroleum products to CNG; the kit suppliers from Italy and New Zealand have joined hands with oil marketing companies and these vehicle manufacturers. While the actual performance could be monitored by the Indian Institute for Petroleum.

The CNG kit comprise of :

• The Cylinder
• The Vapour Bag
• The High Pressure Pipe
• The Refueling Valve
• The Pressure Regulator
• The Gas-Air Mixer
• The Petrol-Solenoid Valve
• The Selector Switch

Latest CNG compatible cars in India:

• Hindustan Motors Ambassador Classic 1800 Isz Ac CNG
• Hindustan Motors Ambassador Classic 1800 Isz CNG
• Hyundai Santro Zing KX (Non AC)