FAQ

·         Why isn’t natural gas used more extensively?

o        Early use of natural gas in a motor vehicle was not implemented because of a lack of demand to compress and store it in fuel tanks.

o        Now natural gas can be highly compressed into specially designed compact storage devices. In this state, a large quantity of natural gas can be stored on modern vehicles.

·         Where does natural gas come from?

o        It is found in large underground fields like crude oil. Natural gas is formed by the decay of organic matter such as plant and animal remains. Extensive underground pipelines carry it from the source to where it is used. For instance, most U.S. households have access to a source of natural gas for heating their homes or for cooking.

·         Who uses CNG vehicles?

o        The largest market for natural gas vehicles are comprised of fleets who desire to lower their fuel costs significantly and improve vehicle emissions.  Typically these fleets contain buses, taxis, courier, government, and commercial vehicles. There are also an increasing number of environmentally-conscious consumers who are purchasing natural gas vehicles.

·         How many NGV’s are in use today?

o        There are over 150,000 NGV’s in the US today and over 8.7 million worldwide.

·         What types of vehicles can be converted?

o        Only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/ or California Air Resources Board (CARB) certified conversion systems are permitted to be installed in vehicles manufactured in or after 1994. The EPA does not permit the installation of non-certified systems (typically those purchased online or through automotive shops). EPA states the installation of these systems is “tampering with a federally approved emission control system,” and is punishable by a penalty of more than $5000 per day. All of our retrofit systems have obtained EPA and/or CARB certifications. These certifications assure that the retrofit systems will meet the same emission requirements the original equipment manufacturer met when they submitted their vehicle for certification.  

·         Why don’t the EPA and / or CARB certify more engine families?

o        There are technical hurtles and significant expenses associated with obtaining certifications for retrofit systems certified by the EPA and/ or CARB. Retrofit manufacturers, referred to as small volume manufacturers (SVM) typically acquire certifications for a limited number of engine families.

·         Who must follow EPA and / or CARB regulations?

o         Both individuals and companies must comply with these regulations. The EPA has specific regulations regarding the manufacture, sale and installation of alternative fuel engine conversion systems. CARB requires certain emission guidelines to be CARB certified. Many states have decided, under federal law, to adopt or plan on adopting CARB requirements. Currently, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington have adopted CARB regulations. 

·         Can an older model year vehicle be converted?

o        A certified retrofit system applies to a specific engine for a specific model year (i.e. 2008 Ford E-450 6.8L 8BAFH06.89NN (EPA)).  Installations must be completed within the same calendar year as the manufacture of the vehicle. Small volume manufacturers (SVM) can file additional documentation and pay a fee to the EPA to convert a certified previous model-year retrofit system in later years; however this fee can be substantial. Typically SVM’s do not retrofit used vehicles, unless their projected sales volume will cover the cost. Overall, it is not cost effective to convert older vehicles unless the vehicle has very low mileage and will now be driven enough miles to recoup the investment in fuel savings. At this time, Baker does not install systems for vehicles manufactured prior to 2008.

·         Can untrained individuals install EPA and / or CARB certified retrofit systems?

o        The EPA and CARB require that SVM’s provide appropriate training and documentation to the installers of their systems, referred to as qualified system retrofitters (QSR). Installing a retrofit system without the appropriate qualifications may damage the retrofit equipment and/ or engine. EPA and CARB only certify systems that will be installed by trained QSR’s. Baker is trained as QSR’s for BAF certified retrofit systems and Baytech cetified sytems east of Mississippi. No EPA and / or CARB approved CNG systems are allowed to be sold to untrained installers. 

·         Where can my vehicle be converted?

o        All Baker Equipment Locations have factory trained and certified installers:

§         Pottstown, Pennsylvania

§         Richmond, Virginia

§         Raleigh - Durham, North Carolina

§         Atlanta, Georgia

·         Will the original automotive manufacturer (OEM) warranty be affected by the conversion?

o        The OEM warranty for all items not related to the retrofit system will remain in place. The engine retrofit system will have a warranty covered by the manufacturer (SVM).

·         Do natural gas vehicles have similar maintenance requirements as gasoline vehicles?

o        Natural gas engines work similarly to gasoline engines. Most engine service needs can be handled by the OEM dealer or a local automotive repair shop. Natural gas vehicles do require proper maintenance just as conventional vehicles do. When getting your retrofit system serviced, it is important to have trained QSR technicians such as those at Baker to care for your vehicle. Technicians are trained in several areas to maintain service excellence:

§         Comprehensive System Training

§         Specific  System Training

§         Vehicle Operator Training

o        Maintenance costs associated with natural gas vehicles may be reduced due to less engine wear and fewer oil changes. Compressed natural gas engine systems engine oil typically has a longer service life gasoline engines in similar applications because there are fewer particulate materials produced during the combustion cycle.

·         How are CNG vehicles filled?

o        In order to fill your vehicle, you need to go to a compressor station, the CNG equivalent of a gas station. Here there are two ways to fill your vehicle with CNG:

§         A fast fill provides for a quick and convenient way to refuel. However, due to the fact that this process is fast, there is a heat rise that occurs in the tank during the compression of the natural gas. Molecules spread out when they are hot, so once the tank has cooled there is a slight reduction in its volume due to the molecules taking up less space. Therefore you would have less than a full tank or 3600 psi.

§         A slow fill takes up to eight hours. This method allows for the complete filling of a tank.

§         Consumers can also have a household gas line that can refill their vehicle overnight.

·         Is driving a natural gas vehicle safe?

o         All BAF alternative fuel systems are certified and verified by The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has strict regulations regarding the manufacture, sale and installation of alternative fuel engine conversion systems. CARB requires certain emission guidelines to be CARB certified.

o        Compressed natural gas, unlike gasoline, is lighter than air and dissipates into the atmosphere in the event of an accident. Gasoline pools on the ground, which is a fire hazard.

o        The natural gas storage cylinders are much stronger than gasoline fuel tanks. NGV cylinders are subjected to several federally required testing protocols.

o        Natural gas vehicles operate on a closed system which prevents spills and evaporative losses.

·         How does the retrofit system work?

o        The gasoline tank is removed and storage cylinders are placed either in the trunk, underneath a vehicle and/or body load space.  The number and type of cylinders varies between vehicles depending on the GGE needed and tank space available.  CNG is pumped from the gas valve into the cylinders at the refueling station. As needed, CNG travels through the master manual shut-off valve and into the engine via high pressure fuel lines. The gas enters a regulator in the engine compartment, which reduces the pressure of the natural gas to approximately 100 psi depending upon engine system and certification. The gas from the regulator through a custom designed fuel rail to the newly installed gaseous fuel injectors. The gas mixes with air and flows through the induction system and finally enters the engine’s combustion chambers. 

·         What are the tax incentives to owning an alternative fuel vehicle?

o        The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 provides an income tax credit for both businesses and individuals who purchase alternative energy vehicles. The federal tax credit varies based on the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle and the EPA or CARB certification level. Only EPA or CARB certified OEM vehicles or EPA or CARB certified SVM retrofit systems can obtain this tax credit. To qualify for an alternative energy vehicle tax credit, a person or business must be a taxpayer. All BAF natural gas retrofits are certified super ultra low emissions vehicles (SULEV) and qualify for the maximum credit available of 80% of the incremental cost. See below table for credit information. There also may be state tax credit available for converting a vehicle to run on natural gas. These credits vary based upon the state and funding availability. The following link provides information on state tax credit for alternative fuel vehicles: http://afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/all_state_summary.php/afdc/0. For more information on tax incentives for natural gas vehicles, please visit Natural Gas Vehicles for America’s tax incentive page at http://www.ngvamerica.org/incentives/index.html. Contact Clean Energy at (781)685-4857 for information on state and local grants.