How to convert your petrol car into a CNG vehicle
What's the story
With petrol prices going up very day, several owners of conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are eyeing alternatives like compressed natural gas (CNG) for their vehicles. This has prompted automakers to introduce factory-fitted CNG cars. However, if you own a petrol car and wish to convert it into a CNG model, that is possible by installing aftermarket CNG kits. Here's how you can do it.
Benefits
Advantages of converting from petrol to CNG
Changing a petrol car into a CNG vehicle comes with a number of benefits. These include lower operating costs, significantly reduced vehicular emissions, and the ability to run on both petrol and CNG as per requirement. However, there are also some challenges associated with this conversion such as the lack of CNG refueling stations, increased weight, compromised boot space, potential long-term engine impact, and possibly higher maintenance costs.
Step #1
Research and check compatibility
The first step in converting a petrol car to CNG is to do thorough research. The owner must check if their car is compatible with CNG fuel or not. Generally, older cars are not compatible with CNG kits, while the newer ones are. Also, it is important to find a government-authorized CNG fuel kit that complies with various safety norms and wouldn't affect the vehicle's insurance.
Step #2
Get government approval for CNG conversion
Once you confirm compatibility, the next step is to get government approval for CNG conversion. This process may take time and involves getting necessary permissions from the relevant authorities. Also, the vehicle's registration certificate will have to be updated as its fuel type changes from petrol to CNG. This way, you ensure that all legal requirements are met before proceeding with the conversion process.
Step #3
Purchase and install a branded CNG kit
The next step is to buy a branded CNG kit from a government-authorized dealer. It is important to ensure that the kit is genuine and not a counterfeit. After buying the kit, it should be installed by a trained professional who has experience with this kind of work. Attempting installation without proper knowledge can lead to safety issues or damage to the vehicle.