CNG CNG Environmental and Economic Benefits 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Compared to diesel, CNG vehicles typically reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by approximately how much?
- Up to 90% (Correct answer)
- Up to 30%
- Up to 50%
- Up to 10%
Correct answer: Up to 90%
CNG combustion produces up to 90% less particulate matter than diesel, significantly improving air quality.
Question 2: Which federal agency regulates tailpipe emission standards that CNG vehicles must meet in the United States?
- EPA (Correct answer)
- DOT
- OSHA
- FMCSA
Correct answer: EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and enforces tailpipe emission standards for all motor vehicles including CNG vehicles.
Question 3: What is a primary economic advantage of CNG as a vehicle fuel compared to gasoline in the U.S.?
- Lower cost per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) (Correct answer)
- Higher energy density per unit volume
- No infrastructure investment required
- Longer vehicle range per fill
Correct answer: Lower cost per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE)
CNG typically costs less per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) than gasoline or diesel, reducing operating costs for fleets.
Question 4: CNG vehicles emit significantly lower amounts of which greenhouse gas compared to gasoline vehicles?
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) (Correct answer)
- Water vapor (H2O)
- Argon (Ar)
- Nitrogen (N2)
Correct answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
CNG combustion produces approximately 20–30% less CO2 than gasoline, reducing greenhouse gas contributions.
Question 5: Which U.S. government incentive program has historically provided a tax credit for purchasing qualified CNG vehicles or fueling equipment?
- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Form 8911) (Correct answer)
- Business Energy Investment Tax Credit
- Renewable Electricity Production Credit
- Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
Correct answer: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Form 8911)
IRS Form 8911 covers the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which applies to CNG fueling infrastructure.
Question 6: Which metric is used to compare the energy content of CNG to liquid fuels for pricing purposes?
- Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE) (Correct answer)
- British Thermal Unit (BTU) per cubic foot
- Pounds per square inch (PSI)
- Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) per liter
Correct answer: Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE)
Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE) standardizes CNG energy content to the same energy as one gallon of gasoline for fair price comparison.
CNG CNG Environmental and Economic Benefits 1
Compared to diesel, CNG vehicles typically reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by approximately how much?