Environment
The use of Natural Gas as automotive fuel greatly reduces pollution, and maintains a clean, healthy environment. Emissions from the combustion of NG are several times cleaner than emissions from combustion of gasoline.
Natural Gas is comprised primarily of Methane (CH4). Methane is one of the simplest substances found in nature, and consists of a high percentage of Hydrogen. NG is the cleanest fossil fuel on earth, and even cleaner than many renewable fuels. Due to its simple composition, Methane is the cleanest burning of all fuels after Hydrogen.
Air Quality
Pollution caused by motor vehicles on the road today severely diminishes the quality of the air we breathe in cities throughout the world. The damage caused by vehicle emissions has a direct impact on the health local inhabitants including drivers, passengers and pedestrians, particularly in heavy traffic conditions.
Vehicle emissions from automobiles powered by gasoline have been known to cause asthma and lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.
Natural Gas Vehicles greatly reduce the quantity of harmful emissions released into the air. Particulate matter, most of which comes from diesel burning engines, is among the most dangerous forms of vehicle emissions. NGVs release virtually no particulate matter when compared to diesel and gasoline engines.
The reduction of harmful pollution, by using NGVs will immediately improve the quality of the air we breathe. In test studies taking place in heavily polluted cities, the air emitted from NGVs is often cleaner than the air entering the engine.
By the Numbers
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculates the following potential benefits of Natural Gas versus gasoline:
- Eliminates evaporative emissions
- Emits little or no particulate matter
- Reduces carbon monoxide emissions 90-97%
- Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions 35-60%
- Potentially reduces non-methane hydrocarbon emissions 50-75%
- Reduces carbon dioxide emissions 25%
- Emits fewer toxic and carcinogenic pollutants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has gone so far as to call the NG Honda Civic GX the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle on Earth. It has been reported that the Civic can drive from the West Coast of the US to the East Coast and emit less non-methane hydrocarbons than spilling one teaspoon of petrol.
In a study of transit buses equipped with CNG engines in 2004, the NGV fleet produced 49% lower nitrogen oxides emissions and 84% lower particulate matter emissions than buses equipped with 2004 diesel engines.
In a study of United Parcel Service (UPS) delivery trucks, CNG trucks produced 75% lower carbon monoxide emissions, 49% lower nitrogen oxides emissions, and 95% lower particulate matter emissions than diesel trucks of similar age.
Below is data demonstrating the reduction of total full-cycle emissions (g/km) of NG, compared to gasoline (from ‘well-to-wheel'). Source: Natural Resources Canada
- 100% reduction in evaporative emissions
- 92% approximate reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- 84% reduction in particulate matter
- 60% reduction in sulpher (SOX)
- 41% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO)
- 28% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2)
- 17% reduction in nitrous oxide (NOX)
Greenhouse Gases
Most experts believe that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from industries, automobiles and households significantly contribute to global warming. Nations across the world are recognizing the threats posed by global warming, and seek to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the air by unnatural means. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor of CO2 to the environment.
NGVs reduce greenhouse gases by 20% compared to gasoline vehicles.
Other types of Pollution
Acid rain - Emissions from NG combustion contain virtually no sulfur dioxide. NGVs reduce the harmful emissions that cause acid rain.
Groundwater - Because natural gas is lighter than air, it dissipates into the atmosphere rather than spilling onto the ground. This eliminates any threats to ground water, waterways and wildlife.
Noise - NGV noise emissions are up to 50% lower than similar vehicles running on diesel or gasoline.