In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements: 1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions. 2. H-CNG as a fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions. 3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses. 4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Option 2 : 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is option 2, i.e 2 and 3 only.

• CNG is compressed natural gas. With natural gas mainly composed of methane, CNG emits less air pollutants (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter) than petrol or diesel.
• H-CNG is a blend of hydrogen and CNG, the ideal hydrogen concentration being 18%. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Compared to conventional CNG, use of H-CNG can reduce emission of carbon monoxide up to 70%, besides enabling up to 5% savings in fuel, tests by the Automotive Research Association of India and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) have found. Hence, statement 1 is not correct whereas statement 2 is correct.
• H-CNG which may be used as a fuel of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is considered a cleaner source of fuel, more powerful and offers more mileage then even CNG.
• The Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) recently recommended to the Supreme Court that Delhi’s buses switch to H-CNG within the next two or three years.
• The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas had also issued a draft notification, following a NITI Aayog proposal, for H-CNG as an automotive fuel.
• However, it’s an inexpensive switch as in its report to the Supreme Court, the EPCA has estimated that to fuel Delhi’s 5,500 buses, about 400 tonnes H-CNG would be needed per day. Setting up four fuel-dispensing facilities would cost Rs 330 crore, which can be funded from the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) fund made up of cess on commercial vehicles entering Delhi, it said. For consumers who pay Rs 42 per kg for CNG, the cost of H-CNG would not be more than Rs 43 per kg. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
• H-CNG has not yet gained worldwide currency. Trials have been held in countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil and South Korea.