Natural gas cars: advantages and disadvantages

METHANE-POWERED CARS

Methane-powered cars are still selling wellBut are they profitable? And how much do they pollute? Is there such a thing as green methane? When is a methane-powered car really worth it? Let's try to answer these questions by examining, one by one, the advantages and disadvantages of these cars.

ADVANTAGES

The first advantage is economic, and refers to consumption: the cut, in terms of costs compared to a petrol car, can reach up to 60 percentAnd if once this saving corresponded to lower engine performance, today the situation has changed, and thanks to technological evolution the functional characteristics of a methane engine are no longer so different from those of a petrol engine.

Second advantage: lower CO2 emissions. In this sense theauto A methane-powered car can be considered "green" in every respect. Pollution is reduced by approximately 20 percent compared to the gasoline model and 30 percent compared to the diesel version. This translates into lower emissions of CO2, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

A third advantage is the engine life of a methane car is longer as there is no contamination in the oilThe only precaution you need to take is to test the cylinders at least every 4 years and check that they are in perfect working order.

Finally, methane-powered cars offer comparable or even superior efficiency to gasoline and diesel engines. It's worth considering that methane allows for longer distances than its gasoline or diesel competitors. For the same cost, methane is cheaper, second only to LPG at the moment, and allows you to travel more than 500/600 km with a full tank of 30-35 euros.

In recent years, those who have opted for natural gas vehicles have been able to save on fuel costs and travel longer.

It must be taken into account, however, that, as happened during the beginning of the war in Ukraine, methane prices can fluctuate. In any case, to date, in much of Europe it continues to be one of the most economical choices, also remembering that the cost of methane is per kilogram and not per litre as with diesel and petrol. Therefore, with the same amount of natural gas, the price is almost equivalent to LPG.

Another factor that should not be underestimated is that methane can be produced from renewable sources such as Organic waste and biomass, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels. But the benefits don't end there. We'll see more throughout the article.

DISADVANTAGES

One of the most well-known disadvantages is the small, sometimes significant, presence of gas stationsIt must be recognized, however, that Italy is currently the country investing most in this natural gas and has more than 1.500 filling stations from north to south, and the numbers continue to grow. In fact, if it was a problem five years ago, today it is almost no longer a problem.

The problem can arise when you use your vehicle for travel throughout EuropeBeyond Italy's borders, although methane use is growing abroad, the figures aren't as high as in our country. Therefore, finding fuel on the road can be more difficult. In this case, you'll need to plan your trip carefully to avoid running out.

However, let us remember that every methane-powered car has a petrol support tank (very limited) which can be of assistance in times when immediate supply is not found.

It is also important to keep in mind that methane-powered cars are more expensive compared to a petrol or diesel model. But, thanks to the new eco incentives, you can often almost reach the price of traditional vehicles.

PRICE

There's no point beating around the bush when it comes to costs, a methane-powered car has a higher price than its petrol or diesel counterpartsThe price is also slightly higher than the petrol vehicles with LPG system integratedThe latter, in fact, seems to have become one of the most convenient choices at the moment, despite the fact that LPG tanks are much more limited and have a shorter range.

However, it must be remembered that methane-powered cars enjoy discounts and, sometimes, of tax exemptions such as car tax. In fact, precisely because it is a eco-sustainable fuel, whoever owns a methane-powered car is exempt from paying car tax for the first 5 years. And in exceptional cases (based on regional regulations), they are required to pay it in a very reduced form.

The measures started on June 3, 2024. car incentives 2024 With new features for the most eco-friendly models and truly interesting innovations. The new car bonus will be more advantageous the lower the vehicle's emissions. There are three main bands that will determine the maximum discount from the list price.

The bonus will be calculated based on the vehicle's emissions new (higher incentives for some plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars which also cost much more than methane-powered models) and to the consumer's ISEE. Scrapping the old car it will be possible to access greater incentives.

MAINTENANCE

When it is convenient to buy a methane-powered car, it only requires one additional maintenance compared to traditional cars, that is, the methane tank check This must be checked every four years and has its own inspection cost. Otherwise, methane-powered cars must receive the same mechanical attention as any other traditional vehicle.

FUTURE OF THE METHANE CAR

At the moment, the future of this fuel is rather uncertain. Some car manufacturers continue to invest partially in these models. Among the most important are: Volkswagen, Fiat e Seat. The number of filling stations is also increasing both in Italy and in Europe. But given the ever-growing interest in electric and hybrid cars, it is unclear whether this green fuel will remain popular for long. For now, it remains a very valid alternative in Italy, especially for those who have to travel many kilometers and want to save money.