New Rule Could Soon Allow CNG Conversion Of BS6 Cars

The government has a new set of amendments in the works to allow for the aftermarket CNG conversion of BS6 cars. It has laid out the testing and approval guidelines for conversion kits, while taking accident safety and drivability into consideration. 

As per the new rules, each aftermarket CNG kit will be put through a series of tests to measure the emission of pollutants and carbon dioxide gas. Interestingly, it will also be tested over inclines to check the gradeability of the car when running on CNG mode.

If the CNG kit adds significant weight to the car, it could be put through an ‘offset frontal collision’ test to evaluate the effect of the modifications on the car’s safety. Additionally, the kit will be evaluated on a dynamometer (a rolling road) to ensure that the power output on CNG remains within 5 to 15 percent of the output on petrol or diesel. 

The approvals for each aftermarket kit will be valid for three years, after which the kit manufacturer will have to get its hardware re-tested. 

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Currently, you can only get a CNG-equipped BS6 car if it is available with a factory-fitted kit. Moreover, only a handful of models are available with factory-fitted CNG, though the list is growing with new models from carmakers such as Hyundai and Tata. 

Switching to CNG with an aftermarket kit does cost a pretty penny, and natural gas filling stations are still not as ubiquitous as petrol pumps. But the lower price of natural gas, coupled with the decent fuel economy from a well-engineered CNG kit, can help reduce the running costs on almost any car. It can also help extend the life of a car in areas where there is a 10-year limit on diesel cars.

With petrol and diesel prices on the rise, CNG cars are popular as ever. The new regulations are welcome, and we expect they’ll ensure that CNG-fitted vehicles are as efficient and eco-friendly as other fuel types.