"Conversion" System
Availability
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rules concerning the manufacture, sale
and installation of alternative fuel engine conversion systems. These
rules apply to both natural gas and propane powered engine
retrofit systems and will presumably apply to
ethanol and/or hydrogen retrofit systems when they are approved. Only EPA and/or
CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified conversion systems are
permitted to be installed on vehicles. A variety of non-certified
systems are sold on the Internet or offered by some automotive
shops. The EPA has take the position that installation of these
systems is "tampering with a federally approved emission
control system", a federal violation punishable by a substantial financial
penalty.
To obtain EPA and/or
CARB certification for a specific engine or engine family,
manufacturers of retrofit systems must submit a converted
vehicle to EPA or CARB for
rigorous testing along with substantial technical documentation. This
testing assures that the retrofitted vehicle meets the same stringent emissions requirements the original
equipment manufacturers met when they submitted their gasoline or
diesel powered vehicle for certification. The process of engineering, manufacturing, installing, pre-testing
and submitting a proposed retrofit system
may cost as much as $200,000.00 for each engine
family.
Currently, there are only three SVM (small
vehicle manufacturers) offering EPA certified systems (two have CARB certification) for Ford and General
Motors light-duty engine families covering about twenty vehicle models. The
following link is available for an up to date list of ALL currently
available EPA and CARB certified engine retrofit and repower
systems. http;//www.ngvamerica.org/pdfs/marketplace/MP.Analyses.NGVs-a.pdf.
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Installation
Installation of an engine
conversion package and fueling system may be done after a vehicle has been in
service or when the vehicle is first purchased. EPA and CARB require
the SVMs provide appropriate documentation and training to
installers of their systems, commonly referred to as "qualified
system retro fitters" (QSR). Installation by a non-qualified
installer could damage the retrofit equipment or engine, compromise vehicle performance,
or render the vehicle unsafe to operate. No EPA or CARB
certified engine conversion systems are sold to untrained or
unapproved installers. This is not a "kit" you buy and
install on your own or by an untrained mechanic. | (TOP)
Service and
Warranty Issues
Generally, vehicle warranties offered by the
original automotive manufacturer (OEM) are not affected by the
installation of an engine retrofit system. The engine warranty for
all items related directly to the retrofit system will be covered by
the SVM. The OEM's warranty on non engine retrofit system related
items remains in force. Many OEM dealers are unfamiliar with NGV
retrofit systems and logistics and may
inaccurately
inform customers that the "vehicle warranty" will be voided, but this
is inaccurate. Courts have upheld the OEM's non engine retrofit
system related warranty obligations.
Natural gas engines work
essentially the same way as gasoline engines. Most engine service
issues are very similar and can be handled by the OEM dealer. If a
retrofit system related service issue arises the SVM usually
recommends that a QSR perform this work.
Regular inspection
of all vehicle systems is generally good practice, regardless
of fuel type. Qualified cylinder inspectors are located throughout
the US and Canada. The cost and time associated with
a cylinder inspection is minimal. Check with the SVM or the
QSR concerning recommended service practices and warranty
coverage. More information about CNG cylinder inspection is
available at http://www.cleanvehicle.org/technology/cyliner.shtml |
Costs
of Converting a Vehicle to Run on Natural Gas
(CNG)
The cost of converting a
vehicle to run on natural gas includes the SVM's retrofit
system, fuel tanks, tubing, brackets and the installation. The amount
of fuel capacity requested by the customer (and
thus the number,type, dimensions and configuration of the fuel
tanks) significantly impacts the cost of a CNG system. An important consideration is
whether the not costs associated with converting a vehicle to run
on natural gas will be recouped in fuel savings over the
remaining life of the vehicle. Generally it is not cost effective to convert
an older vehicle unless it has plenty of mileage left and will
be driven enough to recoup the investment in fuel savings. A
more common occurrence is the retrofit of a new vehicle.
Conversion of new vehicles provides the greatest opportunity to save fuel
cost. | (TOP)
Tax
Credits Offset Par of Vehicle Conversion
Cost
The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 included
an income tax credit that offsets 50-80% of the buyer's incremental
cost of purchasing a new dedicated NGV and also applies to the cost of
converting an existing vehicle to operate on natural gas. The tax credit
does not apply to bi-fuel vehicles or to the purchase of used
or existing CNG vehicles.
The amount of tax credit is
determined by two basic criteria: the vehicle's gross vehicle weight
rating and the EPA or CARB certification level.
More
information about the available Federal Tax Incentives for purchase
of new NGV's and conversions is available at: http://www.ngvc.org/pdfs/FederalVehicleTaxCredit0508.pdf
We
suggest that you search the Internet under "alt fuel vehicles+tax
credits+(your state) for information concerning available tax
credits on your home state level. | (TOP)
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