Benefits of natural gas-fuelled vehicles

We’re working to reduce emissions by helping customers transition from heavier-carbon fuels like diesel to lower carbon¹ fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Renewable Natural Gas² (RNG).

B.C.’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sector 

Source: Pathways for British Columbia to achieve its GHG reduction goals; Guidehouse, 2020, p11.

At 41 per cent of provincial GHG emissions, transportation accounts for the largest emissions footprint in B.C.³ With so much room for improvement, we’re excited to be offering CNG and LNG as cost-effective solutions to help lower emissions when compared to gasoline and diesel. Learn all the ways we’re working towards a low-emission transportation sector.

Emissions reductions: fuelling with LNG or CNG compared with diesel or gasoline³ 

• GHG emissions: Natural gas vehicles can emit up to 30 per cent fewer GHG emissions.
• Nitrogen oxides (NO_x): Natural gas vehicles emit up to 95 per cent fewer NO_x.⁴
• Particulate matter: Natural gas vehicles emit virtually no particulate matter.⁴

Emission reductions: fuelling with RNG compared with diesel or gasoline 

• GHG emissions: RNG can reduce GHG emissions by up to 20 to 30 per cent when replacing the combustion of conventional diesel fuel.⁴
• Nitrogen oxides (NO_x): Natural gas vehicles emit up to 95 per cent fewer NO_x.⁴
• Particulate matter: Natural gas vehicles emit virtually no particulate matter.⁴

¹When compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The burner tip emission factor of FortisBC’s current Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) portfolio is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ). FortisBC’s current RNG portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s lifecycle carbon intensity threshold of 30.8 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments.

²Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America’s natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we’re unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions.

³Pathways for British Columbia to achieve its GHG reduction goals; Guidehouse, 2020, p11.

⁴Northwest Gas Association, Natural gas facts, page 15

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