NGVs, an acronym for Natural Gas Vehicles, are vehicles that are powered by natural gas rather than traditional petroleum-based fuels like gasoline or diesel. The term encompasses a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and even motorcycles.
What sets NGVs apart is their use of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. CNG consists of methane gas, predominantly sourced from natural gas wells and processed for use as a transportation fuel. LNG, on the other hand, is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, making it more compact and easier to store.
NGVs are considered an attractive alternative to conventional vehicles due to several reasons. Firstly, natural gas is known to have lower carbon emissions compared to gasoline or diesel, which contributes to reducing overall air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, natural gas is often more affordable than conventional fuels, allowing for potential cost savings over the lifespan of the vehicle.
NGVs require specific engine modifications or dedicated engines designed to handle natural gas as a fuel. These modifications typically include significant changes to the fuel system, such as the addition of high-pressure tanks to store the compressed or liquefied natural gas. NGVs can either be original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicles, which come from the factory ready to operate on natural gas, or converted vehicles, which have been retrofitted to run on natural gas instead of their original fuel type.
The adoption of NGVs varies across different countries depending on factors like natural gas availability, government incentives, and infrastructure development for natural gas fueling stations.
