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How CNG Affects Your Car’s Power and Mileage

Technical Explanation with Real-World Examples

Switching to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a popular choice among Indian car owners due to lower running costs and eco-friendly benefits. However, many people still ask an important question:

• Does CNG reduce car power?
• How does CNG affect mileage in real driving conditions?

In this blog, VK Autotech explains how CNG impacts engine power and fuel efficiency, backed by technical reasons and real-world examples, helping you make an informed decision.

Understanding How a Car Engine Produces Power

Before comparing fuels, let’s understand the basics:

• Engine power depends on fuel energy density, combustion efficiency, and air-fuel mixture
• Petrol and CNG burn differently inside the engine
• The engine design remains the same, but fuel characteristics change

This difference is what affects power and mileage after CNG conversion.

How CNG Affects Engine Power

Technical Explanation

CNG has a lower calorific value per unit volume compared to petrol. This means:

• Less energy is released per combustion cycle
• Slight reduction in torque and pickup
• Power drop is generally 5% to 10%

However, CNG has a higher octane rating (120+), which allows smoother and more controlled combustion.

Real-World Example

• A 1.2L petrol hatchback producing 85 PS on petrol
• After CNG conversion → approx. 78–80 PS on CNG
• Power loss is mostly noticeable during:

• Overtaking
• Fully loaded driving
• Steep inclines

In city driving, most users in Latur and Nanded report minimal difference in daily usage.

How CNG Affects Mileage (Fuel Efficiency)

Mileage Comparison

Fuel Type	Average Mileage
Petrol	14–18 km/l
CNG	20–26 km/kg

Although CNG gives lower power, it offers significantly better mileage per rupee.

Running Cost Example

• Petrol price: ₹105/litre
• CNG price: ₹85–90/kg
• ➡ Cost per km (Petrol): ₹6–7
• ➡ Cost per km (CNG): ₹3–4

This is why CNG conversion in Latur and Nanded is gaining popularity for daily commuters, taxis, and commercial vehicles.

Why Mileage Improves on CNG

Technically, CNG:

• Burns cleaner and more completely
• Leaves fewer carbon deposits
• Maintains consistent combustion

As a result:

• Better long-term engine efficiency
• Stable mileage over time
• Reduced engine knocking

With proper tuning by VK Autotech, mileage can even improve beyond standard expectations.

Factors That Influence Power & Mileage After CNG Conversion

1. Quality of CNG Kit

• Poor-quality kits cause power lag and mileage drop
• ISI & ISO-certified kits ensure accurate gas flow

2. ECU Calibration

• Correct ECU tuning balances power and fuel economy
• Bad calibration = low pickup + poor mileage

3. Driving Style

• Smooth acceleration improves CNG performance
• Aggressive driving highlights power loss

4. Regular Maintenance

• Timely servicing maintains injectors and reducer efficiency
• Ignoring service reduces mileage by 10–15%

Petrol vs CNG: Power & Mileage Summary

Factor	Petrol	CNG
Power	Higher	Slightly lower
Mileage Cost	Expensive	Very economical
Engine Cleanliness	Moderate	High
Emissions	High	Low
Daily City Use	Good	Excellent

Is CNG Worth It for Your Car?

CNG is ideal if:

• ✔ You drive 30–50 km daily
• ✔ You want lower running costs
• ✔ You mostly drive in city conditions
• ✔ You choose a professional installer like VK Autotech

For customers looking for CNG retrofit in Nanded or CNG kit installation in Latur, correct installation plays a bigger role than fuel type itself.

Why Choose VK Autotech for CNG Installation?

At VK Autotech, we ensure:

• ISI & ISO-certified CNG kits
• Expert ECU tuning for optimal power & mileage
• Safe cylinder installation & testing
• Transparent guidance on performance expectations

Whether you’re searching for:

• CNG conversion near me
• Best CNG kit installation in Latur
• Reliable CNG service center in Nanded

VK Autotech delivers performance you can trust.

Conclusion

While CNG may cause a small reduction in power, the massive savings in fuel cost, cleaner engine performance, and long-term reliability make it a smart choice for Indian drivers.

With professional installation and tuning, most drivers barely notice the difference — except at the fuel station.