Is CNG better than LPG as per running cost for a car?

Question

Since Petrol prices are only moving up , is there any better alternative for petrol vehicles ?, is CNG / LPG a better alternative now !, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using the present alternative fuel. and ofcourse, whts the future fuel ! (electric\fuel cells ?)

Answer 1

Generally, CNG is cheaper per mile than gasoline, and I believe LPG is as well. If you are deciding between the two, the big question is which is more available in your area. In my area, every house has a natural gas line installed, and LPG can be purchased at most hardware stores, and even some gas stations and grocery stores. If you opt for CNG, I have seen a few companies selling a pump and tank system that connects to the gas line in your house and compresses the natural gas to usable pressures for CNG vehicles. If you travel a lot, LPG may be a batter option because it is more commercially available (for filling up on the road), but it will be a bit more expensive. If you live in the country and have a propane tank instead of a gas line, the choice becomes much simpler, because you can fuel the car from that. With either fuel, you will see a bit of a power decline compared to gasoline. If the engine is "optimized" for the fuel (mainly just raising the compression ratio, because both LPG and CNG have much higher octane ratings than gasoline), you can expect the LPG vehicle to generate up to 90% of the power of gasoline. If the engine is not optimized, look for up to 80%. CNG will be slightly lower. If you want to convert the vehicle yourself, LPG is a safer option, because of the pressures involved (LPG is stored at a few hundred PSI, CNG is stored at a few thousand). Another benefit of both fuels is that because they are cleaner and less caustic than gasoline, the engine will generally last twice as long. As for other gasoline alternatives, electric cars are starting to come into their own. Several companies are making cars that can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge, but the costs are still high due mainly to the types of batteries used. "Home-built" electric cars, (and conversions) have range problems because they generally use lead-acid batteries, which are heavy and don't hold a lot of charge. Alcohol burns very clean, just like CNG and LPG, but is generally less available and is more caustic so engine parts will wear out faster than gasoline. Fuel cells are not yet a viable option, mainly because of the problems storing enough hydrogen to give a decent range, and hydrogen burning engines have the same trouble. Two other alternatives that are showing promise are vegetable oil and bio-diesel (they are related, but not the same). The biggest difference is that for either of these you would need to start with a diesel car instead of a gasoline car. Contrary to what some people want to believe, all of the innovations and technological advances of gasoline engines, such as computer controls and fuel injection, and even catalytic converters, do not make them nearly as clean as most alternative fuels, like LPG and CNG. There is plenty of information available if you are serious about using an alternative fuel vehicle. Make sure you do plenty of research before starting a conversion. Make sure the fuel you choose will work well for you. Good luck!

Answer 2

Cng Vs Lpg

Answer 3

If one uses the domestic LPG, it works out cheaper but it is illegal to use it for this purpose.

CNG is a safer fuel in case of leakage as it is lighter than air and hence it evaporates in the atomosphere and the possibililty of fire is lesser. LPG on the other hand, is heavier than air and hence spreads on floor and hence more hazardous.

Answer 4

Hi,

Chk ths link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_natural_gas

Apart from that, CNG gives almost 3 times more milage than Petrol and 2 times more than LPG.

Regds,

Venkat

Answer 5

YES CNG is better than LPG

Answer 6

no advantages except bragging rights
disadvantages ( CNG/LPG) poor availability , terrible mileage/short range , complication of having a dual fuel vehicle ( maint - cost )
these used to be ultra-clean fuels but with computer control so is gasoline

Electric - poor range and performance and the power they use is mostly sourced from coal - oil - natural gas burning plants

fuel cells are not here yet

Answer 7

CNG is better than LPG

Answer 8

CNG is Better than Petrol. My car run 15 KM/L on petrol and 20 Km/KG in Cng in Local and 23 Km/Kg in Highways. CNG is available in all most all petrol pump in delhi

Answer 9

yes, also safety point