Natural Gas Powered Vehicles: Bane or Boon

With the recurring issue of the global climate change that has affected a lot of countries worldwide, environmentalists as well as different corporations are looking for alternatives to contend on this concern. Different areas have been investigated as to how to address this problem; one area is the emission of gasoline powered cars into the atmosphere. It has been accounted, that vehicle emissions are one of the greatest contributors to air pollution.

The introduction of alternative fuels has been studied and various substitutes have entered the market, one of which is natural gas. One common form of natural gas being used in vehicles is the compressed natural gas.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel which is made up mostly of methane and other hydrocarbons. It can be usually found in coal beds, marshes and landfills. Natural gas is found in underground reservoirs and is obtained by installing drilling wells into the ground. It is combustible, similar to gasoline, that’s why it can be used in the combustion engine of cars.

Different natural-gas cars have been manufactured with two different types. One type of vehicle mainly uses natural gas and is referred to as a dedicated NGV (natural gas vehicle) while the other type runs on the two kinds of gases, gasoline and natural gas, and are usually referred to as bi-fuel vehicles.

Natural gas has been pointed out to be advantageous in the following areas:

• Natural gas is less expensive than gasoline.

In comparison to the high-cost price of gasoline, natural gas is cheaper than gasoline and has a more stable price in comparison to the constant surge of gasoline prices.

• Natural gas is more accessible and is more abundant.

In comparison to gasoline, natural gas can be extracted from the underground and does not rely on importation of oil from other countries. It has also been studied to be more abundant and convenient. Home fueling devices have been developed to provide the convenience in refueling in your own house.

• Natural gas is more environmentally friendly.

Natural gas has been reported to have lesser greenhouse emissions of 20% in comparison to gasoline. Emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and non-methane organic gas is lesser than gasoline powered vehicles.

• Natural gas provides lesser cost in car maintenance.

Since its emissions are lesser, and it cleanly combusts, there are higher life-span and lower maintenance of the engine in terms of tune-up and required change oil.

However, despite the natural gas’ role in providing an alternative to gasoline a few concerns are being raised on its consumptions.

• Natural gas is still a nonrenewable resource.

Similar to petroleum and oil, it takes thousands of years to reproduce the natural gas since it is a fossil fuel. Its supply would also be eventually consumed and replacement of consumed resources would be awfully slower than its consumption.

• Natural gas has smaller driving range.

Compared to gasoline, a natural gas powered car drives at a shorter range because it has a lower energy than gas.

• Natural gas still has atmosphere emissions.

The reduction of greenhouse gases being emitted in the atmosphere is lessened, but it does not totally eradicate it, which does not address the issue of gas emissions at a hundred percent.

• Fueling Stations have to be increased.

Since gasoline is more commonly used, more fueling stations of natural gas have to be built so that in case one runs out of natural gas while driving, he or she can gas it up in the nearby gas station without having the danger of being towed.

• Fuel Storage cylinders of natural gas occupies more space in cargoes.

Natural gas vehicles usually utilize the trunk and cargo areas for its fuel storage cylinders. They provide lesser room than gasoline-run vehicles.

The utilization of natural gas can provide a transitory remedy for the detrimental effects brought about by the use of gasoline vehicles. This, however, raises the issue if this is the best solution to the pressing climate change. A lot of people are taking sides and this would boil down to one’s choice if he or she would use a natural gas powered vehicle.