Currently, 2,646 CNG filling stations are operating in Iran and the number of vehicles with hybrid CNG engines has surpassed 4.119 million.
According to the latest statistics released by the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, since the launch of a nationwide scheme to convert 1.46 million gasoline-powered public transport and commercial vehicles to compressed natural gas hybrids earlier this year, about 150,000 vehicles have been retrofitted and another 10,000 cars are on the waiting list, the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana reported.
The scheme offers free of charge conversion services to drivers of taxis and commercial vehicles in the first phase.
To sign up for conversion, cab and pickup owners are required to register at Gcr.niopdc.ir, where their personal ID and vehicle information are screened to confirm their eligibility.
The first phase will only cover particular types of vehicles. A public call will be issued for the drivers of online taxis and other public transport vehicles in the next phases.
The plan is expected to curb gasoline consumption by 15 million liters a day. Total gasoline consumption in Iran now is close to 90 million liters per day.
In addition to curbing gasoline, the plan was set in motion to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy polluters. Comprised mostly of methane gas, CNG produces fewer undesirable gases compared to gasoline.
CNG consumption has reached 25 million cubic meters per day and is estimated to increase by 15 mcm/d, as more cars are equipped with CNG tanks.
There are over 400 certified conversion centers in 25 provinces to help implement the scheme. They are equipped with domestically-made kits and tanks, and car owners are recommended to only visit authorized centers for a guaranteed and standardized result.
Private car owners can also call on these centers, but have to pay for the job.
NIOPDC has announced that of the 19 million vehicles in Iran, five million have hybrid CNG engines, accounting for 20% of overall CNG consumption. Globally, Iran is the fifth biggest CNG consumer.
CNG is projected to comprise 35% of Iran's total fuel consumption by the end of the Sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2017-22).
Unlike gasoline, eco-friendly CNG minimizes harmful carbon emission. This helps engines run more efficiently and increases the life of spark plugs.
Abundant gas deposits and cost-effective production justify replacing gasoline with compressed natural gas.
One cubic meter of CNG costs 4,600 rials (1.8 cents), which is about four times cheaper than gasoline. A liter of subsidized gasoline costs 15,000 rials (6 cents) and non-subsidized fuel 30,000 rials (12 cents).
