Reconsidering CNG as an alt-fuel solution

As CO₂ emission standards continue to tighten, the future of the IC engine may be inexorably tied to alternative fuels. As automakers seek propulsion solutions delivering convenience and performance similar to gasoline or diesel, without radical changes to infrastructure, some experts say it's time to reconsider the gaseous-fuel alternative.

OEMs and markets have largely rejected CNG (compressed natural gas) and LNG (liquified natural gas), preferring hybridization as a steppingstone to full electrification. Those fuels did not enter mainstream use “because their benefits have been compromised by dual-fuel installations that require the engine to also operate on gasoline,” argues Mike Bassett, chief engineer for research at Mahle Powertrain.