Has anyone looked into to adding Natural Gas (CNG) capability to a Prius. The Conversion kit needs to be EPA Certified and the Make / Model needs to be EPA certified so as not to void warranty.
Sounds like a good idea, but the equipment would add as much as 500 lb to the car. The fact the Prius ICE shuts off, as part of it's normal operation, presents a problem also, from a routine conversion standpoint.
The information that I have seen says 100 - 500 lbs. Not sure what it would be for a prius. Why do you think ICE shutdown would be a problem?
The single biggest issue I have would be the consumption of cargo space by the tank. Using multiple smaller tanks would cost significantly more. The most reasonble conversion would use the same tank as is used in the Civic - that takes up 2/3 of the trunk.
I considered the Atkinson cycle engine characteristics might present an issue too.....But, The conversion has been done in Europe at least couple times, so I guess it's possible.
Now there are so many ads on TV touting all the CNG available right here in the US and how we can quit transfering wealth to the Middle East I'm all for it! Sounds like it's been perfected and a kit is ONLY $5,000 and extends your miles to fill up to about 800 miles if using both CNG and gasoline up. Green Car Congress: Bi-fuel Prius II CNG on Display in Geneva Way better than pushing food costs up, spending more on tractor diesel and machinery to farm corn for "Yellow" fuel. Maybe we can get a Priuschat discount, you in?
CNG Prius is an absolute MUST after you listen to this!!! The Pyramid Crisis: Protect Yourself From the Greatest Threat to Your Financial Security and Way of Life.
Err .. don't go over the top here ... cost of conversion is expensive and I don't think you'll qualify for CA clean air stickers with DIY if that is what you are looking for. If you want to further reduce fuel consumption - how about plug in conversion - (also not cheap) - or just bike to work
hey, Guys I need big big help. Please any information would help. I got myself a cng conversion kit and I wanna install on my 04 prius. But can't find cng tank. Now I live in Louisiana Baton rouge. I have no one knows that what I talk about with cng around here. If anybody could at least tell me what would fit into spare tire space. It would be very helpful. Thanks
As far as I know, the only tanks made to fit in a spare tire space are for propane. You might want to see if you can find a used one from a Civic GX. I guarantee it will not fit in your spare tire space. Update: After looking at the article referenced above, I think I understand what you are looking for. Maybe ask here or here?
So, CNG and LPG tanks are different??? I thought that you could use same kind tank for both application. So be honest I really don't know for sure what i am doing. All I did purchase this cng equipment from my brother in law and now trying to find fitting tank. There is a post here and you can see in the tdn's post they put spare tire tank. Off course this from Russia. Toyota Prius 2nd Gen. - converted to LPG hybrid | Page 3 | PriusChat Another option I was thinking but couldn't find tank small but tall like these ones
CNG is usually stored at up to 3000 or 3600 PSI where an LPG tank at 90 Fahrenheit will be around 150 PSI.
I was thinking of converting to propane I would wish to use tanks off my old airstream they are light weight aluminum. Rather than place the tanks inside the car permanent mount the simplest way to do it is install a tow hitch then get a tow hitch rack to hold the tank replace like you do when you have a forklift. 3 tanks would more than cover a monthly fuel use but I would travel with one tank at a time when in use and store the other 2 until one was emptied. Not so sure the NTSB would approve of a tank set on the rear of a vehicle a rear end crash might rupture tank? But I bet those tailgaters would think twice about tailgating a car with a tank on the rear. Probably wise to mount above the bumper assembly that way the car would give and the tank would not get pinched by an impact.
Yeah, I don't think that is a good idea. CNG stands for compressed natural gas. There for regular propane tank wouldn't stand high psi. If anybody wants my conversion kit, could buy it from me.
Local shop down here just reversed engineered a Hydrogen back to stock. Said it was a HUGE undertaking. Ever look at the Quantum designed Hydrogen Prius Turbo setup for ideas? Looks like it might be a Garrett T15 turbo... teeny tiny...no wonder it made just enough power to get back to OEM Hp/Tq specs Showing the exhaust cut off just after the resonator just like Paul did... A company down here in SD got a couple to disassemble from Hydrogen back to Gas... wish i could've grabbed a few left over parts.. The R&D must have cost an arm & a leg!!
I don't know about cng, the storage pressures are scaring me plus, I'd have to fill up at home not sure where else, I am currently looking into propane , there is a thread about it
