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CNG : A greener fuel alternative for SA
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There is a global push towards sustainability and green initiatives , especially in the automotive industry as every second , two brand new vehicles enter the road networks .
This situation only increases the environmental impact of one of the biggest contributors to C02 emissions and air pollution . Between 80 to 90 % of vehicles ’ negative effect on the environment stems from fuel ( petrol and diesel ), which produces air pollution and greenhouse gases the world is trying to get rid of .
Countries around the world are setting green goals that involve decreasing the number of traditional combustion engine vehicles on the road and encouraging investment in new automotive technologies . In 2021 , two-thirds of Norway ’ s new car sales were electric .
China is currently the globe ' s largest market for electric cars due low-cost offers and most importantly , regulatory incentives which include electric vehicle owners avoiding restrictions or driving bans on certain days that only apply to combustion engine vehicles in Chinese megacities .
For developing countries like South Africa , where only 0.02 % of all domestic automotive sales were electric in 2020 , there needs to be a combined approach . One which utilises fuel alternatives that are cleaner and greener in combination with electric powered automobiles .
The US is just one example of a country making use of a combination of alternative fuels . As of 2020 , nearly 1000 public compressed natural gas ( CNG ) fuelling stations are available in the United States and 2021 saw an increase in the nation ’ s electric car sales .
CNG is a naturally occurring product in underground pockets in bedrock structures . As a vehicle fuel , natural gas can lessen greenhouse gas emissions over conventional fuels , depending on vehicle type , duty cycle , and engine calibration .
CNG Holding ’ s head of group sales and marketing manager , Wayne Williams , explains that natural gas vehicle ( NGVs ) conversions are more suited to fleet vehicles as the return on investment is so much better . A vehicle used for commercial purposes – often accumulating many kilometres – is suitable to be converted to an NGV in order to take advantage of the conversion technology and cost effectiveness of this solution .
Besides being good for the environment , CNG is also the smart , economical choice . Towards the end of last year [ 2021 ], CNG was about R8 cheaper than diesel and R11 cheaper than petrol . Unlike liquified petroleum gas ( LPG ), CNG is not a byproduct of crude oil and , consequently ,
CNG Holdings
CNG has proven an effective solution , particularly for companies with vehicle fleets .
is not subject to crude oil-related price adjustments . CNG pricing is also not linked to the exchange rate .
Williams says there has only been a mere four price adjustments in the past five years for CNG . In the wake of significant increases in petrol and diesel prices , CNG fuelled vehicles can significantly reduce the cost to businesses in the long run and ensure that they are shielded from future increases , adds Williams .
An additional bonus is that CNG is a safer alternative to LPG . Furthermore , diesel is often stolen , which is costly for businesses . Another advantage of using CNG is that fuel cannot be stolen because the cylinders are much harder to move and generally have limited resale value .
CNG Holdings has successfully converted large-scale fleets for both government and businesses to NGVs in South Africa . The conversion does not require any mechanical changes to the engine , consequently allowing for an easy transfer to another vehicle . When a kit has been fitted with the appropriate number of gas cylinders onto a vehicle , it is then programmed in order to optimise the fuel saving , maximise the substitution level and accommodate the specific conditions in which the vehicle primarily travels .
The lifespan of this solution is about 20 years and because they can be transferred between vehicles , the initial capital expense is , therefore , a once-off cost that has significant returns .
In a mere eight years ’ time , an estimated 127 million vehicles will be produced globally . By 2035 , the total number of vehicles could be 2 billion ! There is no stopping the essential need for transportation . But a change must be made to alternative fuels that minimise and even eradicate further environmental harm . Studies have further shown that traditional vehicle fuel consumption , like diesel exhaust , negatively impact pollination . Without this critical natural step , humans and the earth ’ s ecosystems would cease to exist . Of the 1400 crop plants grown worldwide - those that produce all of our food and plant-based industrial products - almost 80 % require the process of pollination .
South Africa has set a development plan for 2030 to diversify the energy mix and reduce carbon emissions . Therefore , many companies are having to be more transparent about their carbon transmissions and take environmental recommendations on board . This is especially true for the logistics industry where there is an urgent need to reduce or remove emissions of carbon dioxide and / or other greenhouse gases produced by fleets in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere .
To accomplish this , fleets need to be far more environmentally optimised by tapping into an energy mix that minimises the use of traditional combustion engines which run on petrol and diesel fuels .
While electric vehicles are gaining popularity worldwide , they are usually better suited to personal use rather than commercial fleets . CNG is a green energy solution especially suited to large-scale fleets as it consists mostly of methane an so does not contribute significantly to pollution and smog , because they emit low levels of nitrogen oxides , and virtually no particulate matter ( droplets of metals , acids , soil , and dust ) into the air .
“ For these reasons , natural gas vehicles ( NGVs ) can be used to help combat air pollution in areas where air quality is poor , which is an issue in cities worldwide . Shifting to cleaner alternatives like natural gas fleets could successfully reduce smog production
in urban centres where it is needed most and result in clearer , healthier air ”, says Siyakhulisa Logistics .
CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • March / April 2022 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 5