PSV, HGV and CNG are ideal city partners

Compressed Natural Gas is ideally suited to heavier road vehicles in the UK. Its clean, far far cleaner than diesel and the conversion of existing diesel engines to CNG or LNG is a practical option. So 'Boris' (Lord Mayor of London)  lets bring in many more CNG (converted) buses rather than just experimental Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Even so CNG can power a fuel cell for the future.

The benefit for CNG is that the distribution networks are present in all our cities right now. We don't need Hydrogen fuel stations or electric re-charging points money needs to be spent effectively and efficiently. CNG is cheaper than diesel!

In addition gases (called Bio gas) from the Anaerobic Digestion (AD technology) of food, animal and human waste are mostly methane, the main component of natural gas. So we could see these buses filling up at the local sewage works. How about that for waste to energy and the community spirit!


Buses or Public Service Vehicles (PSV)

CNG Bus

Urban buses are one of the most popular uses for natural gas, usually utilizing CNG but occasionally using liquefied natural gas (LNG). A number of trials are currently under way testing HCNG, a blend of hydrogen and CNG.

Because the amount of mileage an urban bus travels doesn't vary much from day-to-day the fuel requirements can be catered for quite easily. Storage cylinders for CNG, LNG or HCNG are often installed on the roof of a bus, allowing the weight to be distributed evenly over the chassis.


Lorries or  Heavy Good Vehicles (HGV)

LNG fueled waste haulage vehicles in San Francisco

CNG or LNG Lorry dependant on duty Cycle.
Or even Dual Fuel for London Low Emission Zone 

The best fuel choice for a truck depends on the duty cycle of the vehicle. Trucks that do lower mileages or that return to a base frequently will often be suited for CNG, while trucks that do higher mileages might be more suited for LNG. In the past, the weight of CNG cylinders has often limited its application on heavy vehicles. This is becoming less relevant as natural gas engines are becoming lighter compared with their diesel counterparts and CNG cylinders are available manufactured with lightweight composite materials.

In some applications a fleet operator may choose a dual-fuel natural gas engine over a dedicated natural gas engine, giving them the option of switching to diesel if natural gas supplies become restricted.

Trains

Biogas powered trains are now operating commercially in Sweden

Trams and Trains on Natural Gas

Trains are a relatively recent application for natural gas. While experimental or small scale trials have happened in the past, larger scale commercial applications have only begun in recent years. Peru, Sweden and India have the most developed programs, with the Swedish operation making use of bio-methane, natural gas made from waste or renewable sources.

Boats

Boats can make use of CNG or LNG and, while still small in number, are becoming a popular choice for ferries or vessels which operate fixed routes.


Aircraft

Light aircraft in Brazil have been using CNG on an experimental basis

CNG Aircraft Development

The use of natural gas to fuel aircraft has only been conducted to date on an experimental basis, but the range of experiments conducted shows the flexibility of the fuel. Fixed wing aircraft from a small single engined prop plane to the massive Antonov AN-225 and even helicopters have been fuelled with natural gas.