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Fuel guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
What Is CNG? How Natural Gas Vehicles Work
Compressed natural gas (CNG) powers buses, delivery trucks and fleet vehicles across the country. Here is what CNG is, how a natural gas vehicle works, how CNG differs from LNG, and what to know about range and fueling, from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) and fueleconomy.gov.
3,600 psimaximum pressure CNG is stored at on a vehicle
Less than 1%of its original volume after compression
More than 175,000natural gas vehicles in the United States
More than 700public CNG stations in the U.S. (2023)
The short answer
CNG is natural gas, mostly methane, compressed to less than 1% of its volume and stored on a vehicle at up to 3,600 psi. A CNG vehicle works much like a gasoline vehicle: a regulator lowers the gas pressure, and the gas is mixed with air and ignited by a spark plug. On a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, a CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a gasoline vehicle, but it usually has less range, and fueling stations are less common.
What CNG is
Natural gas is an odorless, gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly methane. Most U.S. natural gas is a fossil fuel. Renewable natural gas (RNG), also called biomethane, is made by purifying biogas from organic materials such as landfill and livestock waste; it is chemically identical and can use the same distribution system.
To be used as a vehicle fuel, natural gas must be compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG). CNG is made by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. Both CNG and LNG are considered alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
From the AFDC Natural Gas Fuel Basics and Natural Gas Vehicles pages, read November 8, 2026.
CNG vs. LNG
Two forms of natural gas are used in vehicles today:
| Compressed natural gas (CNG) | Liquefied natural gas (LNG) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is stored | As a gas, compressed to less than 1% of its volume, at up to 3,600 psi | As a liquid, super-cooled to -260 degrees F in double-walled, vacuum-insulated tanks |
| How it is sold | Gasoline or diesel gallon equivalents (GGE or DGE); 1 GGE is about 5.66 pounds of CNG | Gasoline or diesel gallon equivalents (GGE or DGE); 1 GGE is about 1.5 gallons of LNG |
| Typical vehicles | Light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles | Mostly medium- and heavy-duty trucks that need longer range |
| U.S. fueling stations | More than 700 public stations (as of 2023) | About 50, mostly in areas serving long-haul trucking |
From the AFDC Natural Gas Fuel Basics and Natural Gas Fueling Stations pages, read November 8, 2026. Station counts are the AFDC's figures as of 2023.
How a CNG vehicle works
A CNG vehicle operates much like a gasoline vehicle with a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. Natural gas is stored in a fuel tank, or cylinder, typically at the back of the vehicle. The fuel system carries the high-pressure gas through the fuel lines to a pressure regulator, which lowers it to a level the fuel injection system can use. The gas then goes into the intake manifold or combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air, compressed and ignited by a spark plug. Key parts include:
- Fuel tank (cylinder): stores compressed natural gas on board, typically at the back of the vehicle.
- Fuel filler: the receptacle a fuel dispenser nozzle attaches to.
- High-pressure regulator: lowers the pressure of the gas leaving the tank to the level the fuel injection system needs.
- Natural gas fuel filter: traps contaminants so they do not clog parts such as fuel injectors.
- Manual shut-off: lets the driver or a technician shut off the fuel supply by hand.
- Spark-ignited engine: mixes the gas with air, compresses it and ignites it with a spark plug, the same way a gasoline engine works.
From the AFDC page How Do Natural Gas Vehicles Work?, read November 8, 2026. The AFDC also lists a battery, an electronic control module, a transmission and an exhaust system with a three-way catalyst.
Types of natural gas vehicles
The AFDC lists three types of natural gas vehicles (NGVs):
- Dedicated: designed to run only on natural gas.
- Bi-fuel: two separate fueling systems, so the vehicle can run on either natural gas or gasoline.
- Dual-fuel: runs on natural gas but uses diesel fuel for ignition assistance; traditionally limited to heavy-duty vehicles.
From the AFDC Natural Gas Vehicles page and fueleconomy.gov's Natural Gas page, read November 8, 2026. Fueleconomy.gov says bi-fuel vehicles need two separate fueling systems, which take up passenger or cargo space.
Range, performance and fueling
Performance. The AFDC says the horsepower, acceleration and cruising speed of natural gas vehicles are comparable with those of equivalent conventionally fueled vehicles.
Fuel economy. A CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis, according to the AFDC.
Range. Driving range is generally less than that of comparable gasoline and diesel vehicles, because less energy fits in the same size tank. Extra tanks can add range, but the added weight may reduce cargo capacity.
Availability. Fueleconomy.gov says natural gas vehicles are not available on a large scale in the U.S., but conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles can be retrofitted for CNG. The AFDC says conversions must meet EPA, NHTSA, NFPA 52 and other emissions and safety rules.
Fueling. All public CNG stations offer a fast-fill option. Fleets that refuel at a central site overnight often use time-fill. The AFDC says fueling a natural gas vehicle at home can be possible with a small fueling appliance.
Who uses it. The AFDC says natural gas vehicles are good choices for high-mileage, centrally fueled fleets that stay within a region with reliable CNG fueling, and that more than 175,000 natural gas vehicles operate in the United States.
From the AFDC Natural Gas Vehicles, Natural Gas Benefits and Considerations and Natural Gas Fueling Stations pages, and fueleconomy.gov's Natural Gas page, read November 8, 2026.
Maintenance and service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Check your owner's manual for the fuel your vehicle takes, or ask our service team.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 8, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
CNG and natural gas vehicle FAQ
What is CNG?
CNG is compressed natural gas: natural gas compressed to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure and stored on a vehicle at up to 3,600 pounds per square inch, according to the AFDC. Natural gas is mostly methane.
How does a CNG vehicle work?
Much like a gasoline vehicle with a spark-ignited engine, according to the AFDC. Gas flows from a high-pressure tank through fuel lines to a regulator that lowers the pressure, then into the intake manifold or combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air, compressed and ignited by a spark plug.
What is the difference between CNG and LNG?
CNG is stored as a compressed gas. LNG is natural gas super-cooled to -260 degrees F to make it a liquid, which stores more energy by volume, so LNG suits trucks that need longer range. LNG is typically used in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, according to the AFDC.
Do CNG vehicles get good gas mileage?
The AFDC says a CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) basis. One GGE equals about 5.66 pounds of CNG.
How far can a natural gas vehicle go on a tank?
Usually less far than a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle. Natural gas has a lower energy density, so less energy fits in the same size tank, according to the AFDC. Extra tanks can add range, but the added weight may reduce cargo capacity.
What is a bi-fuel vehicle?
A bi-fuel natural gas vehicle has two separate fueling systems, so it can run on either natural gas or gasoline. Fueleconomy.gov notes the two separate fueling systems take up passenger or cargo space.
Can a gas car be converted to CNG?
Yes. Fueleconomy.gov says conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles can be retrofitted for CNG, and the AFDC says qualified system retrofitters can convert many vehicles. Conversions must meet EPA and NHTSA emissions and safety rules, the NFPA 52 code and other standards, according to the AFDC.
How many CNG stations are there?
The AFDC says more than 700 public CNG fueling stations were available in the United States as of 2023, and about 50 LNG stations. Use the AFDC Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find one.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Questions about your vehicle's fuel?
Schedule service with the Michigan City Ford team, or read our guide to getting better gas mileage.
Sources
Natural gas, CNG, LNG and vehicle facts are from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center and fueleconomy.gov, administered for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read November 8, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website. Photo is illustrative.
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Natural Gas Fuel Basics, U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), read November 8, 2026
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Natural Gas Vehicles, U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), read November 8, 2026
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: How Do Natural Gas Vehicles Work?, U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), read November 8, 2026
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Natural Gas Benefits and Considerations, U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), read November 8, 2026
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Natural Gas Fueling Stations, U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), read November 8, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Natural Gas, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 8, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026