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Questions are being raised regarding the quality of petrol and diesel. Concerns have persisted since the government announced plans to blend ethanol into petrol, as there are allegations that other liquids are being mixed into the fuel under the guise of ethanol. Now, questions are also being raised about the quality of CNG, with claims that it, too, is being adulterated. This raises the question: can the average person verify the quality of CNG?

While the quality of petrol and diesel can generally be checked in various ways, can the quality of CNG be easily verified by the public? Let us explain. But first, let’s look at whether CNG can actually be adulterated.

Can CNG be adulterated?
Unlike petrol, it is not easy to directly mix liquid substances or chemicals into CNG. However, issues can arise regarding CNG quality, composition, and fraud at the dispensing pump. Since CNG is a compressed gas filled into tanks at high pressure, it cannot easily be mixed with other liquid fuels like petrol.

However, the methane content can vary. Quality can be affected by negligence during gas purification or composition, or if lower-purity biogas is mixed in. This can also impact the vehicle's mileage.
It is worth noting that under the 'GOBAR-Dhan' scheme, the government is preparing to blend a specific amount (such as 5 percent) of Compressed Biogas (CBG)—or 'gobar gas'—into CNG, as both primarily consist of methane gas.

How can CNG quality be checked?
While an average consumer cannot test the chemical purity or gas composition of CNG, its quality can be verified using laboratory testing or gas analyzer equipment. Online analyzers and gas chromatographs are used to measure gas purity at CNG stations.

Beware of fraud at CNG pumps.
Always ensure the meter reads 'zero' when getting your vehicle refueled at a CNG pump. It is also important to pay attention to the specified quantity or pressure of the CNG, as the meter can be tampered with by keeping the filling pressure low. Such practices can reduce your vehicle's mileage. If you notice a significant drop in your vehicle's mileage, you can lodge a complaint with the concerned distributor or oil marketing company.

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