The increasingly stringent emissions regulations are forcing vehicle manufacturers to explore all kinds of alternative energy options. Naturally, electric power is quickly becoming an omnipresent alternative to internal combustion. But within the realm of internal combustion engines, there are some innovations.
A good example of this is CNG, or compressed natural gas. It is something that the Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj has in mind, with the company’s CEO, Rajiv Bajaj, announcing the intensive development of the company’s new CNG platform.
How does a CNG vehicle work? Well, the basic idea is that natural gas, mainly composed of methane, is compressed and stored in a tank. During the journey, the gas is introduced into the engine, where it mixes with air. This mixture of air and gas is then ignited in a similar way to normal gasoline engines.
One of the important benefits is that CNG is considered a more environmentally friendly option compared to gasoline, as it emits fewer pollutants. Rajiv Bajaj explains that, in terms of exhaust emissions, CO2 decreases by almost 50%, while carbon monoxide decreases by about 75%. In addition, non-methane hydrocarbons decrease by around 90%. So, although CNG is by no means a zero-emission alternative, it is certainly a prolonger of the life of the good old internal combustion engine.
