CNG engine in a Hybrid? - GreenHybrid

Jafo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 12:05 PM

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone had thought about using a CNG engine in a hybrid?

Delta Flyer · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 12:08 PM

A couple of years on another forum, nobody expressed interest.

You would think Honda would try it - they are selling a device you can fuel with CNG from home.

stevejust · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 03:08 PM

I've been engaged in a debate with another hybrid civic owner over whether it'd be better to have a CNG hybrid or a Biodiesel/diesel hybrid.

I believe I have the better argument. First of all, as a non-renewable fuel, CNG is likely to go up in price -- especially when its price can be manipulated by a bunch of people who used to work for Enron. A diesel hybrid that is bio-diesel compatible (a renewable fuel source) will see its fuel prices decline as biodiesel becomes more readily available. The only main evil corporate interest to contend with in the case of biodiesel is ArcherDanielsMidland.

Because I live in Dallas, there's already a few places I can go in the area and purchase biodiesel fuel. This is troublesome for me, because sometimes I wonder if I'd be better off driving a TDI and supporting the new biodiesel market, than driving my HCH and filling it with regular gas.

However, because I walk to work, no matter what I drive doesn't matter ALL that much. I wouldn't be buying very much biodiesel anyway.

But the thing about the hybrid system is that it's so well matched to diesel: at low speeds, diesel engines pollute pretty badly relative to other fuels. And diesel engines are so slow, they have to be turbocharged. I think the solution is to get rid of the conventional turbo, substitute an electric engine hybrid system as a turbocharger, and then let the diesel kick in at higher speeds when its emissions are lower.

Slap a warranty on the car that allows it to use B20 or pure biodiesel, and that would be a perfect automobile. So perfect in fact, if General Motors or Ford were to make it, maybe they wouldn't be staring junk bond status in the face. But they're too flippin' stupid to do something that makes this much sense.

lakedude · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 03:35 PM

I'm with Steve, CNG is non-renewable and therefore no better than oil based products. We need to be looking hard at renewable sources of energy.

Schwa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 04:24 PM

There's a CNG Prius being worked on somehwere, I'll see if I can find the link and inset it here for y'all.

The thing about CNG is this: That's where all the hydrogen comes from, and will come from for the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, BUT it takes more energy and causes the same amount of pollution to make hydrogen and use it in a fuel cell as burning CNG directly, so it's a bit of a tossup as far as what use of CNG would be better. Supposedly Honda is somewhat 'giving up' on hybrids in favor of CNG cars with their home based filler system.

zadscmc · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 04:41 AM

Wasn't there some exploration done on using methane for vehicles?
That is renewable (just ask the horse manure pile on my farm).

Schwa · #7 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 04:47 AM

Natural Gas (CNG) is methane, so that is feasible. There is some expense in cleaning up the biowaste methane for use in engines, but it's basically the same stuff. I doubt it's competitive in cost (or volume) to the stuff in the ground, but it may well prove to be a good source of energy once the price of natural gas rises above the current relatively low prices.