Go Natural CNG

CNG Buyers Beware:

Today there a variety of non-certified systems that are sold on the Internet and/or offered by automotive shops. Consumers purchasing a non-certified system should be extremely cautious and obtain information from the person installing such systems to ensure that the equipment they use and the installation are legal and safe. As noted above, some non-certified systems can be legally sold if the vehicle is beyond its useful life. However, for most newer model year vehicles certification is legally required by EPA and CARB. The fact that a system is certified for use in another country does not mean that it meets US. EPA or CARB requirements as most other countries have less strict vehicle emissions laws and currently neither EPA or CARB recognize foreign certification. In addition, currently there are no federal “installer certification” requirements (see” Installation” below) – beware of shops touting that they are “federally certified” to do such installations.

Conversion Kits Certification:

A limited number of U.S. vehicles are currently certified for for CNG conversion. Each conversion must meet stringent EPA and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements. Installation of an engine conversion package and fueling system may be done after the vehicle has been in service or when the vehicle is first purchased.  EPA and CARB require that SVMs provide appropriate documentation and training to installers of their systems, commonly referred to as “qualified system retrofitters” (QSR).

Installation by a non-qualified installer could damage the retrofit equipment or the engine (or both), compromise vehicle performance, or render the vehicle unsafe to operate.  No EPA- or CARB-certified engine conversion systems are sold to untrained/unapproved installers.  This is not a “kit” you buy and install in your own garage or have installed by the local untrained mechanic.  Some SVMs prefer to install their systems themselves at their corporate facilities while other SVMs choose not to install their own equipment – opting instead to sell their systems only through QSRs.  Typically, the QSR is responsible for obtaining the fuel storage system components (cylinders, high-pressure tubing, pressure release device (PRD), brackets, protective plates, etc)  and installing these components in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Vehicular Fuel Systems Code (NFPA 52).   

A Certificate of Conformity (certificate) from EPA or an Executive Order (EO) from CARB applies to a specific engine family. To obtain a Certificate or EO, the retrofit system manufacturer (SVMs) must submit substantial emissions performance data and related documentation to EPA and/or CARB for review. Additionally, new converters may be asked to submit a converted vehicle for rigorous testing to verify this data. This testing assures that the retrofitted vehicle meets the same stringent emissions requirements the original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The testing also ensures that the retrofit system works seamlessly with the OEM’s on-board diagnostics system.

Non-certified systems usually do not meet this important criterion and will fail state or local emissions tests. The process of engineering, manufacturing, installing, pre-testing and then submitting a proposed retrofit system to an EPA and or CARB approved laboratory for certification is a time-consuming and expensive process that may cost as much as $200,000 or more per engine family. SVMs recoup this R&D investment by amortizing the cost across the expected sales volume, adding it to the price they charge for the various conversion kits.

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