GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

going to test drive a honda GX today, runs on CNG natural gas.one scenario has me trading in the vibe for it. don't want to, so it begs the question if the vibe can be converted. i read that places can do it, but that is the extent of my knowledge on the subject. anyone with quantitative data?

many cars can be converted, but the question here would be WHY? CNG is great for a gas utility company vehicle, but for a daily driver.....*shudders*...CNG's mileage isn't all that great, and if you ever need service, you'll have to take it back to the conversion company.

why is because i drive it back and forth to work and get 28 mpg.why not just put gas in it in the garage overnight and not go to a gas station ever again?

As of a couple of years ago, there was no system available for home refueling of CNG, I understand it stored under quite a bit of pressure. Is there one available now?There was at least one company working to develop a system, I think it was going to cost a couple thousand dollars. Don't know if it has ever come to market and if so, for how much.

http://www.fuelmaker.com its called phill.costs a couple of grand depending on what state subsidies there are.

how about a propane, E85, or diesel conversion??

Propane - fairly easy, less mpgE85 - very corrosive, lots of parts to change, less mpgDiesel - definitely not a conversion since compression ratio goes up to 22 to 1 or higher, probably a 50% increase in mpg though

Seems to me I was at a Parade of Homes some years ago (over 50) and one of the homes had a natural gas refueling station as well as a gas back up generator. UI suspect that compressed is not liquified but I do not know.