Immediately thereafter, LPG and CNG appeared as the most
viable ones – fulfilling the cost and pollution criteria. LPG is
a ‘by-product’ of Petroleum Refining and Oil producing wells
whereas CNG is almost entirely a waste/by-product of Crude Oil producing
wells.
Over the last 25-yrs, CNG has graduated to a ‘liquefied’
form as well – ‘LNG’ – to pack a lot more of it
into a given Cylinder volume at much lower pressures - which is so critical
for Automotive use. However, this is yet to take off in India or may not
at all - for various technical constraints at the ‘street-level’.
Read more about LNG towards the end of Part–I.
For easier comprehension, this Article is divided into
2-parts. Part one deals with some basics and Part two as to how to go
about it as far as Cars are concerned.
Whether LPG or CNG
LPG is acknowledged all over the world as an alternate
fuel for Automobiles superior to conventional Gasoline/CNG. Consequently,
an estimated > 7 million Cars are running satisfactorily on LPG around
the world as of today - from the lowliest Cabs to the British Queen's
Rolls-Royce !
However, the scene in India is somewhat different.
A 'Street-Legal' LPG Kit for an Mpfi Car will cost you ~ Rs: 25k and ~
20k for a Carb type. An equivalent CNG Kit may cost ~ Rs: 5k more, coz
of the more expensive/high pressure Cylinder. So you must do your cost/benefit
analysis yourself first - on the basis of, say, a pay back period of one-
one and a half year.
Moreover, unless there are enough roadside LPG/CNG re-filling Stations
in the area where you live, it will be of not of much use. Running your
Car on 'Domestic' LPG Cylinders is not only illegal but also extremely
dangerous.
There's an eye-opening Article on the subject titled 'Indian
LPG confusion or moving bombs', posted under 'Cruising/Archives' on
the home page of our Site <cybersteering.com>. Installation of such
'Un-Certified' Kits will not only annul your Warranty (if in force) and
Insurance cover automatically, should your Car blow up - provided you
survive to make a Claim !
