Car care · Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center · Elgin, IL
CNG Cars and Natural Gas Vehicles Explained
Natural gas can power cars and trucks as compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Here is how natural gas vehicles work and who they make sense for, based on fueleconomy.gov and the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center.
175,000+natural gas vehicles in the U.S., per the AFDC
3,600 psimaximum onboard CNG storage pressure
About 700U.S. stations selling CNG, per fueleconomy.gov
About the same mpgas gasoline, on a gallon-equivalent basis
The short answer
A natural gas vehicle (NGV) runs on natural gas, mostly methane, stored on board either as compressed natural gas (CNG) in high-pressure tanks or as super-cooled liquefied natural gas (LNG). The AFDC says a CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a gasoline vehicle on a gasoline-gallon-equivalent basis, with horsepower and acceleration comparable to conventional vehicles. Fueleconomy.gov notes that NGVs are not available on a large scale in the U.S., range is shorter and around 700 stations sell CNG.
Types of natural gas vehicles
The AFDC lists three types of NGVs:
| Type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Dedicated | Designed to run only on natural gas |
| Bi-fuel | Has two separate fueling systems, so it can run on either natural gas or gasoline |
| Dual-fuel | Runs on natural gas but uses diesel fuel for ignition assistance; traditionally limited to heavy-duty vehicles |
From Natural Gas Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
Fueleconomy.gov says bi-fuel vehicles let drivers use gasoline or diesel where natural gas is not available, but because natural gas is stored in high-pressure tanks, the second fuel system takes up passenger or cargo space. Conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles can also be retrofitted for CNG; the AFDC says qualified system retrofitters can convert many vehicles with aftermarket systems.
CNG vs. LNG
Both forms are sold in gasoline or diesel gallon equivalents (GGEs or DGEs) based on energy content. The AFDC compares them this way:
| Compressed natural gas (CNG) | Liquefied natural gas (LNG) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is stored | Compressed gas at up to 3,600 psi | Liquid super-cooled to -260 degrees F in double-walled, vacuum-insulated pressure vessels |
| One gasoline gallon equivalent | About 5.66 pounds of CNG | About 1.5 gallons of LNG |
| Typical vehicles | Light-, medium- and heavy-duty | Mostly medium- and heavy-duty trucks needing longer range |
| Range | Suited to vehicles that stay in a region with reliable CNG fueling | Greater energy density, so range is closer to conventional fuel |
From Natural Gas Fuel Basics (Alternative Fuels Data Center) and Natural Gas Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
Pros and cons of natural gas vehicles
Fueleconomy.gov and the AFDC list these advantages and drawbacks:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Domestically available, with widespread distribution infrastructure | Limited vehicle availability |
| Less expensive than gasoline, per fueleconomy.gov | Less readily available than gasoline and diesel |
| Reduced pollution compared with gasoline and diesel; roughly half the particulate emissions of gasoline in a fueleconomy.gov life-cycle estimate | Fewer miles on a tank: range is generally shorter because of natural gas's lower energy density |
| Horsepower, acceleration and cruise speed comparable to conventional vehicles | Extra tanks add range but their weight can displace cargo capacity |
From Natural Gas (fueleconomy.gov) and Natural Gas Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
Who drives natural gas vehicles?
The AFDC says natural gas powers more than 175,000 vehicles in the U.S. and roughly 23 million worldwide. NGVs are good choices for high-mileage, centrally fueled fleets that stay within a region with reliable CNG fueling, such as the school buses, waste-collection trucks and mail trucks featured in its case studies. Medium- and heavy-duty NGVs are available from manufacturers and through qualified retrofitters.
For everyday drivers the main question is fueling. Fueleconomy.gov counts around 700 U.S. stations that sell CNG; check the AFDC Alternative Fueling Station Locator before considering one.
Natural gas can also be renewable. The AFDC says renewable natural gas (biomethane), made by purifying biogas from sources such as landfills and livestock waste, is chemically identical to conventional natural gas and must also be compressed or liquefied for vehicle use.
From Natural Gas Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), Natural Gas (fueleconomy.gov) and Natural Gas Fuel Basics (Alternative Fuels Data Center), read November 9, 2026.
Visit Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center
Looking for a reliable used car or truck? Browse our used inventory, or schedule service for the vehicle you drive now.
Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.
Natural gas vehicle FAQ
What is a CNG car?
A vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas stored in onboard tanks at up to 3,600 psi. It can be a dedicated natural gas vehicle or a bi-fuel vehicle that also runs on gasoline, per the AFDC and fueleconomy.gov.
Do CNG cars get good gas mileage?
The AFDC says a CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a gasoline-gallon-equivalent basis. One gasoline gallon equivalent is about 5.66 pounds of CNG.
What is the difference between CNG and LNG?
CNG is natural gas compressed and stored as a gas; LNG is natural gas super-cooled to -260 degrees F and stored as a liquid. LNG packs more energy into the same space, so it is used mostly in trucks that need longer range.
Can a gas car be converted to CNG?
Yes. Fueleconomy.gov says conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles can be retrofitted for CNG, and the AFDC says qualified system retrofitters can convert many vehicles with aftermarket systems.
Where can I fill up with CNG?
Fueleconomy.gov says around 700 U.S. stations sell CNG. Use the AFDC Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find stations near you.
What are your service hours?
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Shopping for a used car or truck?
Visit us at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Sources
Natural gas vehicle information is from the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center and from fueleconomy.gov, the U.S. government fuel economy site administered for the Department of Energy and the EPA, read November 9, 2026. This is general information; your owner's manual is the authority for your vehicle. Our address and service hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is of our dealership.
- Natural Gas Vehicles (Alternative Fuels Data Center), U.S. Department of Energy, read November 9, 2026
- Natural Gas Fuel Basics (Alternative Fuels Data Center), U.S. Department of Energy, read November 9, 2026
- Natural Gas (fueleconomy.gov), U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. EPA, read November 9, 2026
- Service page: address and hours, Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center, read November 9, 2026