Nigeria is at a turning point. One can barely call it cheap petrol anymore as motorists are now struggling to pay exorbitant fuel prices on a rather unpredictable market. In these circumstances, CNG seems to be stepping up to the plate, suggesting a cheaper, cleaner and more sustainable solution. But is it really what drivers in Nigeria would prefer? This blog piece will analyze the Pros and Cons of CNG and Petrol comprehensively, thus broadening your perspective on the question.
CNG, Cleaner Fuel for Cars:
CNG - Compressed Natural Gas can be defined as natural gas kept under a high level of pressure. It also serves as a fuel for transportation, cooking and generation of electricity. In the context of vehicles, CNG is gaining traction as a viable replacement for petrol, offering compelling advantages:
1. Economic Benefits: A Friendlier Price Tag
● Economical: One of the advantages of CNG over gasoline in Nigeria is cost. With petrol prices reaching record highs, switching to CNG can translate to substantial savings for both individual drivers and businesses with fleets of vehicles. This advantage is quite important in a country where high costs on transportation are many people’s burdens- still economic advantages are not limited to this one.
● Stable pricing: Unlike petrol, which is subject to the fluctuations of the global oil market, CNG prices tend to be more stable. This predictability allows for better budgeting and financial planning, shielding consumers from sudden price hikes.
● Government incentives: The Nigerian Government encourages the use of CNG and provides some benefits to the consumers like tax reliefs and subsidies for CNG vehicle conversions. Provisions of these capital investments are also improving the economics of CNG.
2. Environmental Benefits: Less Stress on Air Pollution
● Reduced emissions: As compared to petrol, CNG is much more environmentally friendly as it burns cleaner without producing so much harmful emission. This in turn means cleaner air and a healthier surrounding for the people of Nigeria.
● Lower carbon footprint: CNG emits less carbon dioxide than petrol, contributing less to climate change and its associated impacts. This is important especially to Nigeria that is already experiencing effects of climate change like droughts and floods, adopting CNG will provide an extra avenue towards development.
● Less noise: Noise level with the use of CNG is also low since vehicles using compressed natural gas are not as noisy as the petrol engine vehicles therefore contributing to a more serene and quiet environment in the city.
3. Abundant Supply: Fueling Nigeria's Growth
● Local resource: Nigeria possesses vast natural gas reserves which means that CNG will be readily available and suppliable whenever needed. This lessens the reliance on imported gasoline and improves energy security.
● Job Creation: Each phase of the CNG value chain from the exploration to the distribution will also help create many jobs in Nigeria. This will foster economic development and create jobs.
4. Safety First: Dispelling Nigerians Concerns
● Lighter than air: CNG is lighter than air, hence it escapes into the atmosphere when there is a gas leak reducing the risk of fire hazard.This makes it a safer fuel option compared to petrol, which can pool on theground and ignite easily.
● Tough cylindrical containers: CNG is kept in pressure mounted strong tanks. These tanks are damage resistant due to the coat that they wear. These tanks are subjected to extreme durability tests to avoid any accidents and to be operational for long periods.
5. Saving Engine: Keep Rolling With Your Vehicle
● Cleaner combustion: The rate of friction inside the engine due to burning of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is lower than other sources of fuel ensuring longer retention of the engine. This in turn ensures the maintenance and repairs of the car will require less finances and longevity for the automobile.
● Reduced oil contamination: CNG does not contaminate engine oil as much as petrol, extending the time between oil changes and reducing maintenance expenses.
Petrol: The Familiar Choice with Lingering Challenges
Petrol has been the primary fuel for automobiles for many decades. While it has its benefits, it also has its disadvantages and they are on the rise.
1. Price Volatility: A Roller Coaster For Customers
● Price variations: Prices of petrol are not constant, they keep changing according to the dynamics of the global oil market creating an imposition for customers on how to predict their costs of the commodity and even manage them. These fluctuations can strain household budgets and even
bring business activities to a halt.
● Subsidy Removal: Fuel subsidies in Nigeria have been removed recently and this has caused a hike in petrol price which is already high for the consumers. This has also intensified the quest for other means of fueling the consumer’s vehicles.
2. Environmental Impact: A Growing Concern
● Air pollution: Petrol combustion contributes significantly to air pollution, most especially in cities which gives rise to health issues like respiratory problems among others.
● Greenhouse gas emissions: Petrol is also a massive driver or very large contributor of greenhouse gases that is causing global warming. As the world seeks to shift from using petrol based energy to more efficient and cleaner energy, the economics of petrol as a resource has become more non viable.
3. Finite resource: An impending shortage
● Reserves are running out: Petrol is a limited resource hence there will always be worries over its continued use concerning its future availability and sustainability.
● Dependence on energy: The dependence on petrol which is not produced in Nigeria exposes the country to the risk of shortages and price ramp ups in the international markets.
4. Infrastructure Challenges: Adapting to the CNG Revolution
● Limited refueling network: While the CNG refueling infrastructure is expanding, it is still significantly less developed than the petrol network.
This can pose challenges for CNG vehicle owners, particularly in remote areas.
● Vehicle conversion costs: Converting a petrol vehicle to run on CNG requires modifications, which can be a significant upfront investment.
However, the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits can outweigh this initial expense.
5. Performance Considerations: Optimizing Power and Efficiency
● Lower energy density: Petrol has a higher energy density than CNG, meaning it packs more energy per unit volume. This translates to a longer driving range for petrol vehicles. However, advancements in CNG tank technology are gradually closing this gap.
● Potential power reduction: Some CNG automobiles develop less power than petrol ones. Nevertheless, in normal driving, this difference is insignificant.
The Verdict: Embracing a Cleaner, More Sustainable Future
For Nigerian motorists, CNG is a more viable option than petrol. It is offered on the market cheaper, it is more ecological, and it is plentiful, all of which contributes to the improvement of the transport sector. Despite the fact that issues of building
infrastructure and converting cars at present remain, from the standpoint of the future perspective, CNG has its significant advantages.
SureMech's Commitment to CNG Adoption
At SureMech, we are committed to supporting the transition to CNG. In our opinion, CNG is a better substitute for future drivers of Nigeria, as it is cleaner, cheaper, and readily available. We are providing our resources in this regard by means of:
● Facilitate CNG vehicle conversions: We aim to provide accessible and
affordable conversion services for vehicle owners interested in switching to CNG.
● Expand CNG maintenance expertise: Our network of qualified mechanics is undergoing training to ensure expertise in CNG vehicle maintenance and repair.
● Promote CNG awareness: We are dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of CNG and addressing any concerns they may have.
The road ahead: Preparing for the change
Although the transition towards CNG will not happen overnight, the potential of CNG to change the transportation sector in Nigeria is undeniable. Shifting to CNG will lessen Nigeria’s dependence on petrol imports, enhance the environment, combat global warming, and also bring about new industries.
Join the CNG Revolution
We want every Nigerian driver to rethink CNG and help us make the world a cleaner and safer place. SureMech has your back.
How do you feel about CNG? Please leave your thoughts, issues and experiences in the comments section below
SURE MECH
Suremech Nig. Ltd