Alternative fuels: Overview of the differences

Alternative fuels such as LNG and CNG: overview of the differences

The renewable fuel biomethane is surrounded by a large number of abbreviations for a wide variety of products, including LNG. To help you keep track, the explanations of all the necessary abbreviations can be found on the following definition page.

CNG

The abbreviation CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas which means compressed natural gas. Around 98 % of the gaseous CNG consists of methane, most of which is covered by natural gas. Biomethane and synthetic methane usually make up a smaller proportion. CNG can be used by cars or trucks with a gasoline engine that is converted to a natural gas/ CNG powertrain.

converted to CNG. In passenger cars, VW and Fiat have a number of CNG-powered production vehicles. In the truck sector, Scania and Iveco have a strong CNG presence and New Holland will soon be launching a 180 hp CNG-powered tractor in series production. There is already a nationwide network of CNG filling stations in Germany, with almost 900. CNG is therefore the only alternative fuel with a nationwide network of filling stations that significantly reduces CO2 emissions. CNG can thus reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25 % compared with diesel.

Bio-CNG

Bio-CNG stands for Bio-Compressed Natural Gas. It has the same qualities as CNG, but consists of 100 % biomethane. Biomethane is produced by fermenting organic waste or liquid manure in a biogas plant. Cars or trucks powered by CNG can easily be refueled with bio-CNG. One advantage of bio-CNG is its low greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it one of the most climate-friendly fuels.

LNG

The abbreviation LNG stands for liquefied natural gas. In contrast to CNG, LNG is not gaseous but liquid. It is characterized by a high energy density and good storage options and is predestined for heavy goods transport and shipping in particular. It becomes liquid at a temperature below -162°C

LNG trucks can achieve a range of over 1500 km thanks to their high energy density. Trucks powered by LNG are already available in series production from the Scania and Iveco brands. Similar to CNG, LNG reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but with fewer than 40 filling stations, there is still no nationwide filling station network for LNG. Alternative fuels such as LNG could play a greater role here in the future.

Bio LNG

Similar to Bio-CNG, Bio-LNG at 100% consists of Biomethane. Bio-LNG has similar material properties to LNG. The farmer can liquefy the bio-LNG directly at the biomethane plant or deliver the biomethane to a collection point. The potential for bio-LNG is very large, as e-mobility has been difficult to realize to date, mainly due to the high weight of the batteries in heavy goods and shipping transport. Fuels such as bio-LNG and BIO-CNG offer a good alternative here.

LPG

Autogas, also known as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), is a liquid gas consisting mainly of butane and propane. It is intended for use in internal combustion engines after conversion and is a byproduct of oil and gas refining. Unlike CNG, LPG does not have a climate-friendly option; nevertheless, CO2e emissions are 15 % lower with LPG than with gasoline propulsion.

PTG

PTG stands for Power to Gas. Power to gas plants can be used to produce various fuels using electrical energy, including hydrogen and synthetic methane. The current problem with PTG plants is that the greenhouse gas balance of the fuels produced is worse with the German electricity mix than with gasoline or diesel.