Converting Prius to Natural Gas

In my opinion there is a shortcoming to using CNG fuels the weight. I have used CNG vehicles for work in the past and the weight of the fuel tank and fuel could negate the benefits. Also the availability of CNG stations.

 

i have talked to a lot of people who drove CNG vehicles (mostly small pickups) and none were very impressed with the range, power or ecological aspects of the vehicles they used.

a few people did feel that they were great in providing niche services that involved stop and go low speed applications. one person (a known fanatical "greenie" who borders on eco-terrorism...well as much as one can who is doesnt weigh more than 90 lbs) who constantly derides the government for not converting all mail trucks to CNG.

one thing you might want to look at is cost. the trucks i mentioned are not used as much because the rise in fuel costs forced a move to a mis-mash of vehicles that include focuses, some Prius classics, Echos, etc. (iow, whatever was on sale that day and since this is not a state fleet, they have more leeway in what they can purchase to use)

 

The URL provided at top is for a Province of Ontario program to encourage greater use of NGV in the Greater Toronto Area. I'm not sure how this relates to the State of CA and carpool access for single occupancy.

CNG and propane conversions were popular here in the early to mid 80's when NG and propane were a *lot* cheaper. Also, it's much easier to modify a carburettor equipped vehicle to run on a gaseous fuel than to modify an EFI motor.

Both CNG and propane offer a lot of advantages for reduced maintenance as the motor usually stays squeaky-clean. However, you should run a special motor oil just meant for CNG and propane vehicles.

Most of the forklift's I've seen in warehouses run propane due to indoor air quality issues. I can't even imagine a diesel powered forklift run in an enclosed space.

Used in automotive applications, both propane and CNG have serious distance limitations. And in extreme cold (-15 F or colder) the regulator can ice up and you're not going anywhere. Most regulators and vaporizors have engine coolant piped through them to ensure the motor starts and stays running.

Some CNG users have switched to propane due to having fleet trucks stranded somewhere after running out. Propane is usually much easier to find to refuel.

 

I'v being searching the web to find where to do this in the Chicago area but nothing.. To me it seems that the US is hiding NCG to people.
This is very easy to do and it's so so reliable! My fiancé who lives in Poland is now driving my old Prius on NCG! before that she had a 2007 Toyota RAV4 purchased in the US running on NCG also. They run awesome, I go to Poland 8 times a year and drive them. The kit with the tank installed for the Prius costed a little under 3000 PLN, less than $1000 US Dollars. She now also has a home refueling system that costed only 700 bucks (USD)... plus you can refuel natural gas everywhere for less than half the price of Petrol (Gasoline). Overthere pretty much 2 out of 3 cars run on NCG. I'd really like to convert my 2011 Prius but it seems that no one is doing this in the US!
It's crazy! I'm originally from Argentina and over there you can get your car converted to NCG for under 700 dollars... Pretty much all taxis run NCG over there..

The 08 Prius that my fiancé is driving on NCG in Poland is SO SO cheap to drive, She gets about 300 miles on NCG plus about 450 on petrol.
Average MPG on the trip from the Krakow airport to her house 250 Km away on NCG is 43-45MPG driving at about 110 KM/h (68 miles) and just around 49MPG on petrol.
(Tire pressure is set to 44 PSI front and 42 PSI back and the car is using full synthetic oil)

Whatever it is that is blocking NCG here in the US is pure bureaucracy and oil companies pushing back.

NCG is safe, clean and reliable plus it's cost effective.

I was even thinking on shipping my car to Poland, get the conversion done there and ship it back.
It's about $2000 Dollars for roundtrip shipping

 

What kind of system do they use to adjust the timing? Did u feel much performance loss from using the NCG? The several they converted to Hydrogen for marketing here in the US, they had to add a Turbo to make up for the power loss.

 

I'm not sure what system the use, I'm not savvy at all, I just know it works! Sorry about that. With the Prius on NCG I didn't feel much power lose, about the same considering that it was already not very strong. it struggles a little if you want to push it to 80+ miles/h but we don't drive at that speed anyway. With the RAV4 you can feel a bigger power reduction, on NCG it will only go up to 140-150 KM/h if you want to get it to 160-180 to switch to Petrol.

If I was able to get this NCG for my 2010 Prius in the US I would save a fortune, I drive about 150 miles a day!

 

Here you have one for sale, already converted to NCG in Poland.
TOYOTA PRIUS Hybryda + INSTALACJA LPG gas 5 LITRÓW (4427916829) - Allegro.pl - Więcej niż aukcje.

they say that it takes about $3.50 USD per 100 KM (62.5 miles for $3.50 - $0.053/mile)
and that is about right we spend about the same with our 08 prius on NCG.

It's a no Brainer, the only thin stoping me to ship my prius to poland to get the NCG conversion done there is that I have no idea if I would have any problems entering the car back in the US. Any info on this is welcome!

 

Usually the reason for converting is crazy high tax on gasoline overseas, so you see lots of EU folks modding car for cheaper fuel options (LPG CNG etc). You can mod a car for CNG for low cost overseas, say maybe <$2000 as you say, but meeting USA safety regs you are now closer to $10k I believe.

 

The EPA is the problem in the US. They make kits for Crown Vic's and popular trucks like the F150 but, those are the only ones that are approved. If the EPA hasn't approved it, it can't be legally sold in the US. Now, you are welcome to do your own conversion without penalty if you are not in a state that requires emission inspections.

 

Currently in CA, Prius are exempt from inspection, but I heard that will change soon.

 

So if I get my prius converted in Poland and bring it back it will not pass the emission test? I live in IL.
Its ridiculous that it cost 10k in USA, It cost 500 buck in poland for normal cars

 

Where did the $10k come from?

 

I know there used to be kits for carbureted engines, there was a guy ran a Camaro on bottled gas at the drags. the car was fast. In some states you can get special fuel tags if you convert your car. but I've never seen a prius kit. I wonder if you could get a kit shipped from Poland?

 

Isn't the kit in Europe for LPG which is nothing like natural gas.

Whilst it is possible to convert a car cheaply if you do it yourself, I'd really question how it would cost $500. The cheapest kits for carburetor cars is about $800 and for multipoint fuel injection systems it's about double that.

LPG conversions are generally safe if you get them inspected regularly but the gas is totally odourless and leaks are difficult to spot without the right equipment. LPG cars are often banned from underground carparks, road tunnels, ferries etc. You also need to inform your insurers and some are happy and some take a dim view of them.

And if you did get your car converted outside the US and then brought the car back, can I ask how and where you'd fill it?

Blast! All I wanted was a quick ciggie: Driver's lucky escape as liquid gas car explodes | Mail Online
Woman burned in gas car inferno

Don't get the conversion right and you have a problem;




LPG isn't worth the hassle, at least not in a Prius which is economical enough.

 

I'm sure there have being accidents...
But I had NCG car all my life in Argentina and pretty much everyone do as well.. Never a problem.. As with everything something could happen.
In Buenos Aires it cost nothing to convert, it's so affordable and common. Here in the US its all a scam from the Oil companies, they block everything that would lower oil usage. But as you said there is an inspection once a year, it takes 5 minutes, but it could be a problem to bring the car here

 

its been done (I think, I wish the video was in English)

 

looks awesome, but what language is that?