CNG Compressed Natural Gas

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Advantages of CNG

The advantages of CNG are extensive.  Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) benefits the consumer, producer, environment, economy and the US as a whole.  Below are some of the advantages of Americans filling up with CNG.

The consumer fueling with CNG benefits financially when there is a drastic price difference between CNG and gasoline/diesel, which varies.  The price of CNG will vary from region to region due to a number of different factors.  However, the Department of Energy’s January 2016 “Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report” stated the nationwide average for a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of CNG to be $2.09,    The complete alternative fuel prices for January 2016 are as follows:

• CNG $2.09
• Gasoline (Regular) $1.98
• Diesel $2.23
• Ethanol $1.86
• Bio-Diesel (B20) $2.41
• Propane $2.85

The lifespan of a CNG vehicle is extended.  This is the result of the combustion of CNG being much cleaner and complete than with gasoline.  In fact, CNG does not leave behind or generate any carbon during combustion.  The cleaner operation of CNG can also extend scheduled maintenance and oil changes.

 CNG vehicles have much fewer emissions than diesel and gasoline.  The California Air Resources Board (CARB) found natural gas to emit 20-30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions when compared to gasoline and diesel.

The US has a vast supply of natural gas.  Recent advancements in technology have unlocked nearly a century worth of natural gas.  If technology continues to progress we could unlock hundreds of years of nat gas.  New technology has allowed us to tap into shale deposits that once were considered to be impossible/ uneconomical to reach.  America is now being touted as the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas.”

CNG is much safer in the result of a spill/leak when compared to gasoline, diesel and oil.  CNG does not pool like gasoline or diesel.  CNG is a gas (not a liquid) and in the event of a leak will rise and disperse quickly.

CNG is a domestic fuel.  We have a vast supply of natural gas here in the US.  If we take advantage of CNG fuel we can easily replace imported oil and keep America’s money here in America.  This will result in a reduced trade deficit, increased independence, more jobs and economic prosperity.

Due to the combustion of CNG being cleaner than that of gasoline/diesel, CNG vehicles can extend time between scheduled maintenance and oil changes.

CNG vehicles have much lower levels of strong smelling fumes. If you have ever followed a diesel bus, tractors trailer or refuse truck you know the smell that I am talking about.

CNG vehicles are much quieter than diesel vehicles. The noise pollution a diesel trash truck makes slowly rolling through a city is a topic many people complain about. To some it is borderline unbearable, to others it is an unwanted alarm clock. CNG trash trucks can be up to 90% quieter than diesel trash trucks.

There is no need for DEF. DEF stands for Diesel Exhaust Fluid and is one thing diesel vehicle owners wish they could live without. Due to the difficulty of diesel vehicles meeting required emissions standards DEF is needed. DEF essentially prevents unburned fuel from escaping a vehicles tailpipe. DEF is stored in a tank on a diesel vehicle. A metering system monitors and injects DEF into the exhaust stream which helps to reduce unburned fuel from exiting the exhaust system.

CNG is a high octane fuel. The octane level in CNG is higher than both gasoline and diesel. A high octane fuel leads to increased power. Currently the higher octane in CNG is offset by the fact that CNG takes up more space in the engine cylinder and leaves less room for oxygen. However, turbocharging CNG could help alleviate this problem. Turbocharging reduces the air that is displaced in the engine and could take advantage of the higher octane of CNG. Turbocharged CNG vehicles can be found in Europe but have not made their way into the U.S. yet. 

Fuel station at:

Santa Fe Trails

2931 Rufina Street

Opened 24 hours per day 7 days a week.

(Click Map)

2008 Article Oldest US town uses cleanest US fuel for the purest of reason