FAQ’s

We get a lot of questions about CNG, and we’ve had a lot ourselves. Here we’ll briefly cover the most FAQ’s.

Is CNG safe?

Natural Gas is a flammable fuel under a lot of pressure, and should be treated accordingly, but it is safer than regular gasoline. It ignites at a much higher temperature than gasoline, and will only burn when it is between 5 and 15% concentration. Another positive to natural gas is that it will not explode if you ever have a leak, even from a gunshot. Much like helium, natural gas is lighter than air, and it would quickly dissipate… unfortunately it won’t make your voice squeaky and we don’t recommend inhaling it.

The other concern is the pressure, but despite its looks, natural gas is nothing like a torpedo. Natural gas tanks are rated to hold 9,000 psi, but their working pressure is only 3,600 psi, and they are extremely durable. If  somehow you do exceed the tank’s pressure limits, there is a pressure relief device that will safely vent the non-toxic gas into the atmosphere. For a little more info check out our CNG safety page.

How much does it cost?

The conversions we do generally cost around $3,500, for a car, and $5,000 and up for trucks, depending on the tanks selected. Your vehicle may be more, or less, but if you bring it into the shop we can  give you a free estimate.

How soon will I recoup my investment?

That depends on a few different factors, such as how much you drive, and the gas mileage your car gets, but the calculator on the right should give you a good idea.

Will it hurt my engine?

No. Just the opposite actually, it extends the life of your engine. Bi-fuel engines commonly run to 300K or 400K miles.

Where can I put the tanks?

The most common place is in the cargo area, but if you have a truck or a full size van, they can occasionally be mounted underneath. And small tanks can sometimes be mounted under or behind seats.

Can I put tanks on the roof of my vehicle?

Not usually. CNG tanks are heavy and most vehicles can’t support that much weight on their roof.

Will the tank take up my whole trunk?

What we normally install uses up 5 cubic feet, or half of a car trunk… but we can certainly fill the whole trunk with tanks if you would like! Here you can see some conversions we’ve done.

How many miles per gallon will I get?

You may get the same amount of miles per gallon as regular gasoline, but we often have customers who see an increase of around two miles per gallon… some times even better!

Will I have a significant power loss?

CNG technology has come a very long way and you will not have the severe power loss that natural gas used to be infamous for. You may see a small power loss, but never more than a 5-10% decrease. Unfortunately there is no way to predict how your car will respond, but generally it’s not very noticeable.

How long does it take to do the conversion?

Typically 4 business days

Where do I fill up?

There are more natural gas stations than you may think, check our CNG Station Map page to see where a fuel pump is near you.

Is CNG a good idea for everyone?

Natural gas releases up to 95% less emissions than regular gasoline, which is great for everyone, but to find out if it is the best decision for your situation, check out our “Is CNG Worth it?” page.

Can I have a fueling pump installed at my house?

Yes. Home fueling pumps cost around 5K+ to install , but you will get the gas for around $0.80 a gallon. If you’re considering this option, we currently only recommend the pumps produced by this company: http://www.cngpump.com/

Can I install a kit myself?

Yes, and No. An aspirated system can be installed by someone with a good mechanical background. However, you should do your research before attempting this, as it can be dangerous to work with the high pressure gas if you don’t know what you are doing. A sequential injection system needs to be installed by a licensed, trained and certified CNG technician like the ones at our shop. If that doesn’t describe you, and you want a professionally installed system that meets all safety  codes and regulations then that’s what we are here for.

What are the pro’s and con’s?

Pro’s;

Cheaper fuel, and lower engine maintenance costs

Cleaner burning. This is beneficial for your engine, as well as the environment.

American made.

Safer than traditional gasoline

Bi-fuel. Your engine will run on either natural gas, or gasoline, at the flip of a switch.

Con’s

Upfront cost to convert your vehicle

Loss of cargo space

CNG is not available every where… yet

Will I get a tax credit?

Yes, if you have an EPA certified kit. However, the extra cost to get an EPA certified kit is usually more than the tax credit you would receive. Also there are only a limited number of vehicles that have an EPA certified system for them.

Update Jan. 1, 2014: A UT state tax credit is now available for the systems we install for 50% of the cost of the equipment, up to $2,500!

Will it take longer than gasoline to fill the tank?

Because the natural gas infrastructure is still improving, you may see longer waits at the pump, but the actual filling doesn’t take much longer.

Can I drive in the carpool lane?

Here in UT once you have a conversion done you can apply for a carpool lane sticker, but having a CNG vehicle does not automatically allow you to drive in the carpool lane.

 

If we missed a question you would have liked to see on this list, let us know so we can add it.