Natural gas car: advantages and disadvantages of the alternative drive system

adminonFebruary 8, 2022February 11, 2022Leave a Comment

Almost everyone knows by now that cars with gasoline or diesel engines are being phased out. Meanwhile, alternatives to polluting fuels, such as gas-powered vehicles, are becoming increasingly popular. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of a natural gas car?? For whom does the purchase or conversion make sense, and what should be considered??

natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas?

When people talk about a gas-powered car, the first thing that comes to mind is the so-called "natural gas tank LPG (liquified petroleum gas), often also autogas called. However, this is only marginally related to the gas required for natural gas cars. To avoid misunderstandings, here is a brief explanation of the terms:

Liquid gas for motor vehicles is a mixture of the two gases propane and butane. both are by-products of petroleum and natural gas production and are liquefied under high pressure for storage. The LPG can then also be refueled in this form.
Natural gas consists largely (about 85 percent) of methane. The remainder is made up of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ethane, propane and butane. Natural gas vehicles use compressed natural gas, which is known by the abbreviation CNG (compressed natural gas). The CNG is stored in the vehicle’s tank at an operating pressure of 200 bar.

Care is needed when refueling

natural gas cars cannot fill up with LPG, which is why you should not drive a gas car to a filling station that offers autogas. Conversely, you cannot refuel your autogas vehicle with CNG.

Tip: the price of autogas is shown per liter at gas stations – but for natural gas, it’s per kilogram. one kilo of natural gas contains more energy than one liter of LPG, that’s why natural gas is cheaper than autogas…

These are the advantages and disadvantages of a natural gas car that every consumer should know about

Of course, not all that glitters is gold. A natural gas car also has advantages and disadvantages. Compared to other sources of propulsion – above all, of course, diesel or gasoline – this alternative offers a lot of advantages advantages.
natural gas cars .

.. protecting the environment. Because natural gas burns very cleanly, there are virtually no emissions of nitrogen oxides or particulate matter. In addition, the carbon dioxide balance is more favorable than for gasoline or diesel vehicles.
.. are perceived as pleasant. natural gas cars score points not only in terms of exhaust emissions. In terms of noise, they also spare the ears of other road users thanks to their low noise emissions.
.. are good for the wallet. Natural gas will continue to be subsidized by the government until at least 2026. As a result, natural gas is much cheaper at filling stations than comparable fuels.
. Have a longer range. Because natural gas contains more energy than conventional fuels, significantly more kilometers can be driven per comparable distance and vehicle.
. Saving taxes. Vehicle tax is based on the pollutant class on the one hand, and on the engine capacity and CO2 emissions of a vehicle on the other. The latter in particular is extremely low for natural gas cars, which is why the vehicle tax can be up to 30 percent lower than for conventional cars.
. Luring with premiums. Many municipalities pay a subsidy or a fuel voucher for the purchase of a natural gas car.
. Help keep insurance premiums low. Many car insurance companies offer discounted rates for natural gas vehicles.

… the network of filling stations, which has just about 1.000 natural gas filling stations in germany is still rather patchy.
… the limited choice, since not every car manufacturer offers a natural gas-powered model.
… the reduced space, because a natural gas tank has a relatively high volume and thus reduces the loading area of the vehicle.
… the higher price, which with up to 4.000 euros above the purchase price of a comparable conventionally powered car. Depending on the model, there is also a charge of up to 5 percent for conversion.000 euros.

Are hybrids also available for the natural gas car??

Yes, they exist. These so-called bivalent vehicles have two tanks: one for natural gas, another for gasoline. During the journey, you can switch between the two types of drive using a switch on the cockpit. The bivalent natural gas cars are not subject to the monovalent vehicles compared to. These run almost exclusively on CNG, i.e. natural gas, and only have a small additional gasoline tank for absolute emergencies.

Of course, both variants of these natural gas cars have advantages and disadvantages

Bivalent natural gas cars are not necessarily dependent on finding a filling station with a CNG pump. On the other hand, the monovalent natural gas vehicles have a higher engine power and at the same time a lower fuel consumption.

Taking a good step with natural gas cars

If you’re thinking about buying a new car or converting your (not too old) vehicle, you can make a good move with natural gas – if you weigh up the pros and cons of a natural gas car. a new purchase or conversion is worthwhile especially for frequent drivers and for users with a high environmental awareness. However, there should be a natural gas filling station in your immediate vicinity, otherwise some of the advantages will be lost. In case of doubt, a bivalent natural gas car (hybrid) is more advisable.

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You would like to learn more about the natural gas car? Download our essential guide now!

katrin berghofer 05.07.2021

Damage to the car’s paintwork, such as minor scratches, is annoying, not only to the private car but also to the rental car. However, high costs can certainly be avoided with a bit of craftsmanship if you do the repair paint damage on the car.

Here we show different methods to removing car scratches.

In case of an accident, the car insurance usually covers the repair costs, even if the damage is to the paintwork. However, if the car’s paint is damaged by grit, road salt or stone chips, the car owner has to pay the costs, which can be very high depending on the extent of the damage.

A scratch in the paint can happen quickly, and if you have rented a car, it can quickly become unpleasant. With a little craftsmanship, minor paint damage can be quickly repaired. The cost of this is removing paint damage from the car at about 30 euro. It is important that the damage is repaired immediately after it has occurred, so that no rust can accumulate. In the following article, helpful tips are given on how to remove the damage on your own.

Remove car scratches with polish

Sandpaper
Polish
Hand drill with polishing wheel
Paint cleaner
Touch-up stick
Paint sealant

First, the affected area should be thoroughly cleaned with a paint cleaner. Then the scratch is carefully sanded with sandpaper (z. B. 2000) and treated again with a sanding polish. Repeat these procedures until the scratch is removed. Finally, the affected area is polished to a high gloss and the paint sealant is applied.

You can also repair a small stone chip in the windshield yourself

For somewhat deeper scratches, a different procedure is recommended. After the affected area has been properly cleaned, it should be masked off. This is important because plastic or rubber may be stained by the products used. Again, the damaged area is then treated with sandpaper and polish but this time down to the colored paint. When the scratch is no longer visible, the area can be touched up with a touch-up pen. After that the surface only needs to be sealed. In the video you can see how to remove a scratch without a polishing machine.

Touch up with paint pen

If it is a really small scratch, it can be treated with a so-called paint stick.

Of course, it is especially important that the paint contains the correct color. Every vehicle has a color code, which is usually listed in the service booklet. Alternatively, the color code can also be determined. For this, only the information about the vehicle manufacturer and year of manufacture is required. However, you can also contact a branch of the vehicle manufacturer in question (e.g. B. BMW, mercedes, VW etc.) should be visited and asked for there.

The paint pens are equipped with a small brush to facilitate application. Before this is used, however, the area in question should be cleaned. As a rule, the applied paint dries very quickly and has a high covering power. Depending on the manufacturer, the cost of such a paint stick is between five and 20 euros.

We explain how to clean car seats – with purchased products and home remedies

Touch-up with putty and paint spray

Basically, a car paint job consists of the following layers:

Primer
Paint
Clear lacquer

If the scratch goes through all the layers of paint, i.e. down to the bare metal, then the only thing that can usually be done is to prime the area with sandpaper, filler and spray paint. After the damaged area has been cleaned, it should be sanded down generously until a flat surface is obtained. For this, it is necessary to sand first coarsely and then finely. After that, the area must be cleaned, for example, with acrylic thinner. Then the surrounding area should be masked off. A thin layer is then applied with the paint spray. If the paint cover is not closed afterwards, a second coat must be applied. When the paint has hardened, the affected area should be polished to restore a beautiful shine.

While most car drivers in Germany are more concerned about receiving a fine, other problems arise when driving abroad. Freeway tolls are payable here, and there is a lot of confusion due to the numerous different regulations. Each country has its own regulations for freeway tolls, just as each country has its own traffic laws and regulations. We have compiled the freeway tolls for popular destinations from other european countries for you.

FAQ: freeway tolls abroad

Yes, because it is often not possible to drive on a freeway without paying in advance. In other cases, the license plate is registered and drivers receive a bill or even a penalty notice afterwards.

No, each country determines how much is charged for the use of the freeway and how this is accounted for.

This can also not be determined as a general rule. each country decides for itself what the consequences of non-payment are. Both fines and driving bans are possible abroad.

What are highway tolls?

How much are the freeway tolls abroad??

Unfortunately, it is not so easy to get an overview of the freeway tolls, as the regulations are constantly changing. How easy is it to calculate the amount of the fine with a fine calculator?! Unfortunately, there is no such fine calculator for freeway tolls (toll calculator), which is based on the binding table of fines, but we hope that the following points on car tolls abroad can still be of help to you. Different rules apply to truck tolls here.

Freeway tolls in bulgaria

How much do freeway tolls cost in Bulgaria?

What do freeway tolls cost in bulgaria??

The freeways and expressways in bulgaria are mostly subject to tolls. The cost per kilometer is about 10 cents, plus a flat toll of 2 euros. If you do not pay, you will be banned from driving. Also, the use of tunnels and bridges or. Ferries across the danube is subject to tolls. plan your route in advance and find out where you can pay the tolls.

Freeway tolls in france

In france, most freeways are toll roads, with the exception of the city and ring roads of paris, lyon, bordeaux and marseille. Some stretches such as.B. The A 31 between toul and luxembourg also cost nothing. Otherwise, the average toll is about 7 cents per kilometer. But watch out for exceptions to the toll in france. Above all, it is important to find out about the payment modalities before you start your journey. Because EC cards are not accepted for the payment of the toll france. Please also note that the toll may vary depending on the car you are driving. Trucks or buses often have to pay more – but this does not only apply to france.

Freeway tolls in denmark

The use of the traffic roads in denmark is free of charge. There are two exceptions: the oresund bridge from denmark to sweden costs 46 euro for a normal car. The "storebaelt" bridge is also subject to a toll of normally 46 euros. If you do not drive a special vehicle, but only a normal car, you normally just buy the vignette at the vending machine. but plan the costs into your travel budget.

Detailed information about tolls in can be found in our guide "tolls in denmark.

Freeway tolls in greece

Highway tolls are often cheaper in Greece than elsewhere

Freeway tolls in greece are often cheaper than elsewhere.

In greece, the freeway tolls are extraordinarily favorable. you’re used to more from many other european countries, but here you hardly have to pay more than a tip to use the highways between thessaloniki, athens, patras and tripoli or the "preveza-aktio" tunnel or the "rio-antirrio" bridge. The rio – antirion bridge is by far the most expensive, with a toll of 11.80 euros for cars. Otherwise, the stretches usually only cost between two and three euros for a car.

detailed information about tolls in greece can be found in our guide "tolls in greece.

Freeway tolls in italy

In italy there is a toll on many routes. Since you cannot pay with a credit card at many toll stations, it is advisable to buy a VIA card. This toll card is not limited in time and can be transferred. The VIA-card is for example available at the german automobile clubs and with it you can pay the toll in italy. Get your via-card in advance and you will have one less problem on your trip. the cost of using the freeway differs not only according to the route, but also according to the class of your car. A normal car belongs to category 2 and pays z.B. For the route bologna – firenze even 10 euro.

Freeway tolls in croatia

When traveling through Croatia, you should be prepared for the fact that tolls will almost always be charged. You have to pay this fee when you leave the freeway. you can pay by cash or credit card. for motorhomes, trailers and trucks there are graduated prices. the ucka-tunnel and the krk-bridge are toll roads just like most of the freeways.

Freeway tolls in the netherlands

in the netherlands, for a change, everything is relatively simple: there are two toll routes. the kil tunnel between dordrecht and hoekse waard costs 1.50 euro for cars and motorcycles. The use of the willem-alexander-bridge costs 1,30 euro.

Freeway tolls in norway

in norway you should have norwegian change ready at the toll station, then you can easily print out your vignette yourself, but there are also service personnel available here. Sometimes there is no possibility to pay cash, you can pay the amount at the next gas station. If you are going to travel on the freeway more often, consider buying a so-called "autopass". This is a chip in your car on which you have previously stored an amount of money and paid a deposit. If you now drive on toll roads, the amount is automatically booked from the chip!

For detailed information about tolls in norway, see our guide "tolls in norway".

Freeway tolls in austria

besides freeway tolls, there are also tolls for tunnels or other roads in austria.

the tolls in austria are a science in themselves. find out about the car tolls you have to pay on your personal route before you drive; we can only summarize the most important information about the tolls in austria for you here. The austrians have their own word for vignette: "pickerl" it is called there. The "pickerl" is available as an annual toll sticker for 82.70 euro, as a two-month toll sticker for 24.80 euro and as a weekly toll sticker valid for ten days for 8.50 euro. At some tunnels and roads you have to pay an additional fee. if you are found without a vignette and you pay immediately, you will get away with a fine of 120 euro. In the alps, in addition to the vignette, there is usually a toll for brennerautobahn passenger car 8.18 euro, for the tauern freeway 10.50 euro and for the arlberg tunnel road 9.70 euro. Here are the tunnel tolls in austria: the felbertauern-tunnel costs 10 euro and the karawanken-tunnel 6,50 euro.

detailed information about tolls in austria can be found in our guide "tolls in austria".

Freeway tolls in poland

On the A1, A2 and A4 you have to pay freeway tolls. the 50 km from wrzesnia to konin costs 11 euro for a car and also for motorcycles. unlike in many other countries, you belong here with a car to which a trailer is coupled already in category 2, and then this stretch already costs 27 euros.

freeway tolls in portugal

In portugal, distance-based tolls must be paid on almost the entire freeway network. Once you have purchased a toll sticker, it is valid for 12 hours; if you exceed this time limit, you will have to purchase another one. Except at bridges, you can always pay by credit card in portugal.

detailed information about tolls in portugal can be found in our guide "tolls in portugal".

Freeway tolls in switzerland

There are also freeway tolls in switzerland. Here it is recommended to purchase a corresponding vignette – this is possible at the german automobile clubs, but also swiss customs offices, at the post office and at gas stations. An annual vignette costs 33 euro and is valid on freeways and other roads with the green and white signs that are common in switzerland. It is only valid for cars with a weight not exceeding 3.5 tons; it is valid for 14 months, starting from the 1st month.12. Until 31.1. The swiss toll must also be paid for tunnels such as the great st. Bernhard tunnel to be paid. the toll for this swiss tunnel is 18,70 euro for a single trip.

detailed information about tolls in can be found in our guide "tolls in switzerland.

Freeway tolls in slovakia

There is a vignette obligation. You only have to choose between a 7-day vignette for 10 euro for a car up to 3.5 t, a monthly vignette for 14 euro or an annual vignette, which is available for 50 euro.

Freeway tolls in slovenia

In slovenia you have to buy a vignette. Depending on the duration of your trip, you can buy a vignette for the car toll in sllovenia, which is valid for one week, one month, six months or one year. Normal cars fall into category 2A. The 1-month vignette in this category is available for 30 euros – at petrol and OMV petrol stations, in post offices and at the border stations.

Freeway tolls in spain

What are the freeway tolls in spain??

You can tell if you have to pay a toll on spanish roads by the traffic signs, which in this case are marked with a white "A" or "AP" on a blue background. The toll must be paid in cash or by credit card, EC cards are not accepted. With a so-called "VIA-T-box", the toll can be paid automatically, but this is not possible on all toll routes in spain. Freeways on tenerife or gran canaria are not subject to tolls.

Freeway tolls in turkey

If you have to pay a toll in turkey, you can only do so with an "OGS device" or a "KGS card", which you have to load with any amount you wish. You will then be charged at the toll stations. Here is an example of the cost, which of course depends on the category of your car: 5.50 lira is charged for a car on the istanbul – bolu route. converted into euros, this is about two euros.

Freeway tolls in the czech republic

motorcyclists do not have to pay tolls in the czech republic, but car drivers do, on all stretches marked "freeway" or "expressway. Attention, if you do not fill in your vignette correctly, it will be considered invalid and you will not have paid the toll for your car!

Freeway tolls in hungary

Since 2008, hungary has a user-friendly system for paying tolls. You must buy an "e-ticket" before driving on the freeway. By the way, this is also possible online! Please note, however, that the data you provide must be correct, otherwise it cannot be guaranteed that your vignette will be recognized as valid.

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