Liquefied (LNG) and Compressed (CNG) Natural Gas

As suppliers of both fuels we are often asked for impartial advice on which fuel is the better, LNG or CNG. Our reply is a measured one. We believe it important to understand the physical properties of each fuel. When this is understood you can understand the pro’s and cons of each fuel.

Energy Density

LNG has more than 2.4 times the energy density of CNG at 200 bar, i.e. 435 kg/m3 compared to 175 Kg/m3. This means that for a given capacity fuel tank, LNG powered vehicles can travel up to 2.4 times the distance of its CNG counterpart. Or, that for a given vehicle range, LNG powered vehicles need up to 2.4 times less fuel tank capacity than its CNG counterpart. This means that LNG vehicle fuel tanks can be packaged on 6x2 tractor units, whereas CNG cylinders cannot.

LNG offers better value for your money ...

LNG powered vehicles weigh less than CNG powered vehicles, and therefore can carry up ¾ of a tonne more cargo/ payload.

LNG powered vehicles cost less to manufacture than CNG powered vehicles.

A kg of LNG has more energy than a kg of CNG.

LNG refuelling stations need no electricity whereas CNG typically requires 5p/kg of electricity cost to compress the gas.

The capital cost of LNG refuelling stations, are a fraction of their CNG counterparts.

The maintenance cost of LNG refuelling stations, are a fraction of CNG refuelling stations.

Benefits of LNG refuelling infrastructure ...

Fleet operators are at liberty with LNG stations, to dispense both LNG and CNG for a fraction of the cost of an equivalent throughput CNG station which are of course constrained to dispense only CNG.

Fleet operators are at liberty to procure 6x2 tractor units powered by LNG but are constrained too only 4x2 tractors for those powered by CNG.

LNG powered tractor units are liberated to roam almost anywhere in the UK due to the growing network of retail outlets, whereas CNG vehicles are still constrained to depot based operations.

LNG is well on the way to liberating the whole heavy duty fleet market, including small fleet operators, whereas CNG remains exclusive to only the biggest of fleets.

LNG is portable, so is liberated from the pipes to build stations anywhere in the UK, whereas CNG stations are constrained to areas supplied by pipelines.

LCNG - Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas

CNG produced from LNG, offers hauliers both flexibility and value for money:

Maintainance costs are perhaps only 20% that of dedicated CNG stations

The electrical cost of compression is perhaps 10% that of CNG stations

The fuel has a consistent quality and higher calorific value

Fast fill is the norm for every vehicle

More choice as LCNG station's have the ability to supply both CNG & LNG LCNG being delivered as LNG bypasses expensive gas pipeline carriage costs