Pros and Cons of Converting into CNG Cars and its Benefits over Electric Cars

Most of us want to switch from our existing traditional petrol or diesel cars for quite a few reasons. The two main reasons are the increase in the price of petrol and diesel and the increasing levels of pollution in the globe due to such vehicles. Therefore, a need arises for an alternative, and we have two very famous and common options – electric vehicles and CNG vehicles. So, which one should we go for?

Electric vehicles are already gaining immense popularity and even the governments of various nations are encouraging their citizens to opt for electric vehicles, also the pollution caused by electric vehicles is the least, and the same goes for the running cost. So, why not shift straight away towards electric vehicles? Why is this CNG even coming into our minds?

Well, to understand this, we must get a clear basic knowledge of some facts. First and foremost, all the attributes mentioned above are true for electric vehicles, all thanks to the innovative technology, but, instead of all these stuff we just cannot forget that the base price of electric cars is quite high, and this makes it difficult for all the sections of society to purchase it.

A person cannot invest so much money in an electric vehicle, when its alternatives like – petrol/diesel, and CNG cars are available at a price which is quite nominal. And especially in today’s time, when unemployment is at its peak, and most businesses have either failed or are delivering minimal revenues, so, a lot of people would not even think of putting such a huge amount at stake just for the sake of a car.

The mass sale of electric vehicles in most countries, like – India (which is a good market for car manufacturers) would be possible only when the government comes out with an effective set of policies and makes the price of electric cars on par with its counterparts.

So all said and done, now it is the time we try to explore what a CNG car has in store for us, its pros and cons, and shall we switch to it or not, so, without any further debate, let us try to find out.

The first question that comes into our mind is what is a CNG car? The answer is simple, a CNG or compressed natural gas car is one in which the pressure is constantly applied to the natural gas and it remains clean, without smell, and not at all harmful. And yes, it causes very little pollution and is also cheaper compared to petrol and diesel. Therefore, now it is the time we highlight some of the pros and cons of switching to a CNG car:

Pros

Environment friendly

As mentioned earlier, they cause very little pollution compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts, let us try to understand this with more examples. As per some online surveys, a CNG car emits around – 99 % less sulfur dioxide, 90 % less particulate matter, 89% less volatile organic compounds, 75-95 % less nitrogen dioxide, 79-90 % less carbon monoxide, and 20-30 % less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as compared to petrol and diesel cars. This reduces the pollution to a good extent. And if CNG vehicles are switched by a large number of people, then do not be surprised by the immense fall in the levels of pollution.

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Pocket friendly

A CNG car beat is a clear winner in this segment here again as the price of petrol and diesel are quite high in most of the countries and countries like India it has hit the triple-digit mark in several states. The price of CNG is much lower, almost one-third of the price of petrol and also the average mileage offered by a CNG car is quite good. Therefore, if running cost is your priority, then a CNG car is for you.

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Engine performance

A CNG car offers smooth engine performance since you are using clean gas as your fuel, and also the carbon deposits are minimal here compared to petrol and diesel, so, you can expect a better and smoother engine performance here.

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Maintenance cost

Once again, since you are running your car on clean gas and it generates minimum carbon and other harmful gases as its product, the chances of your car’s engine being faulty are very low compared to petrol and diesel variants.

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Hybrid option

This is another advantage for you all, if you fit CNG in your petrol or diesel car, then you can run your car with both CNG and petrol/diesel as per your need.

Cons

We have read some of the major benefits that we will get from CNG, now, let us have a glimpse of its drawbacks as well. Below is the handpicked list of some of the major cons of CNG cars:

Less boot space in your car

It is one of the biggest drawbacks of a CNG car, though nowadays, you can find quite a few gas stations in big cities but the scenario changes as soon as you move away from the city, so, it is a drawback, a major one, as it limits your travel to a great extent.

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Less boot space in your car

One more disadvantage of a CNG car and if your car happens to be a small hatchback, then you will get almost negligible boot space for your luggage. As the CNG cylinder is fitted in the luggage boot space of your car, you will get very little space left for your luggage.

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Initial Vehicle Cost

The initial cost of CNG vehicles tends to be higher than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. Additionally, converting existing vehicles to run on CNG can be an expensive process. While there may be long-term cost savings in terms of fuel, the upfront investment can be a barrier for some consumers.

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Limited Vehicle Models:

You will have multiple models of your favorite brand vehicles in the market in diesel and petrol variants but the same is not true for CNG. The variety of CNG vehicle models available in the market is limited compared to traditional fuel options. This limitation may restrict consumer choices when looking for a specific type or model of vehicle that suits their needs.

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Global Warming Potential

We have discussed in the Pros section, how as compared to Petrol and diesel, CNG creates low pollution but it doesn’t mean it is completely free from environmental impact. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas, and its release into the atmosphere can contribute to global warming.

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Thus, we have discussed the important pros and cons of a CNG car, now, it is time we conclude our article. Therefore, a CNG car is a must for all those who want to reduce their daily expenses on petrol and diesel and it is also a good step to make our environment pollution-free. But at the same time, you have to compromise with some very crucial stuff.

So, if you don’t drive outside city limits or rarely do so, and luggage space is not on your priority list or you happen to be switching to a big car or have a big car, then you can opt for a CNG car. And yes, if you switch from your existing petrol or diesel car then you have the option of both CNG and petrol/diesel, then you can rely on petrol/diesel when you decide to drive to the outskirts of your city.

FAQs

• What is a CNG car?

A CNG car is a popular alternative to petrol/diesel cars. It is powered by natural gas which is under constant pressure, and it in turn generates clean and green output.

• What are the major benefits of a CNG car?

The main benefits of a CNG car that make it one of the best in its segment are that it generates minimum pollution and is cheaper to maintain and run.

• What are the major drawbacks of a CNG car?

The major drawbacks of a CNG car are that they take up most of the luggage boot space and also their charging gas stations are not available in most of the small cities or outskirts.

• Which is better, a CNG car or an electric vehicle?

An electric vehicle generates the least pollution and is the cheapest to run and maintain but its high initial cost makes it very difficult for most people to purchase it.

• Should I switch to a CNG car?

Well, there is no harm in doing so, and after going through this article, I hope you might have found an answer to this question.