CNG pressure regulators for natural gas vehicles
CNG pressure regulators for natural gas vehicles are supplied by HybridSupply to workshops and conversion centres in two groups: retrofit regulators from BRC, Tomasetto, Landi Renzo, Bigas, EMER, Prins and Romano, and OEM regulators from Ventrex and Metatron for factory-built natural gas vehicles from VW, Audi, Seat, Mercedes-Benz and Iveco. The regulator – also called a CNG reducer – lowers the storage pressure from the gas cylinders to the working pressure of the system.
Retrofit and OEM regulators at a glance
| Manufacturer | Regulators (selection) | According to product data |
|---|---|---|
| BRC | Zenith 150 and 230 kW and with 2, 2.5 or 3 bar, ZB Zenith with solenoid valve, high-pressure and temperature sensor, Zenith Sequent with conversion kit from the Genius MB regulator, Tecno M 100 kW, Smart Distributor CNG | Tecno M: approval E13*110R00*0050 |
| Tomasetto | AT04 (100 HP, 140 HP, Super), AT12 EVO up to 125 kW, AT12 EVO Super and AT12 Super up to 250 kW | up to 260 bar inlet, outlet pressure variable 1.5–2.5 bar (AT12 EVO); 12 V or 24 V |
| Landi Renzo | TN1/B SIC (Plus) up to 190 PS | up to 220 bar inlet, 1st stage 3.5–4.7 bar, solenoid coil 12 V/20 W |
| Bigas | RI27 with shut-off valve in four pressure versions | brass, up to 260 bar inlet, up to 150 kW; 2.3 bar (Citroën C3, Renault Kangoo), 7 bar (VW), 8 bar (Mercedes-Benz B 200/E 200, Fiat Panda/Multipla), 9 bar (Opel Zafira/Combo, Fiat Panda, Iveco) |
| EMER | C300 2.0 bar, C307 7.5 bar for Fiat and VW Touran | – |
| Ventrex (OEM) | regulators for VW (incl. OEM 1S0906011B), VAG 1.5 for Audi A3 Sportback and Seat Leon (1.5 l, 96 kW), Mercedes-Benz (OE A2424700407) | Mercedes version two-stage, approved to ECE R110, with two coolant connections |
| Metatron (OEM) | Iveco Daily IV 6 bar (OEM 504350063), Iveco Stralis two-stage (OEM 5801400580 and 8051346) | – |
| Prins, Romano | Prins CNG without shut-off valve, Romano CNG | – |
All regulators of a brand are shown on the manufacturer pages, including BRC, Tomasetto, Ventrex, Metatron, Bigas and EMER.
What matters when choosing a regulator
- Inlet pressure: CNG regulators are designed for the storage pressure of the natural gas system – according to the product data up to 220 bar (Landi Renzo TN1/B) or 260 bar (Tomasetto AT12, Bigas RI27).
- Outlet pressure: many retrofit regulators work at 1.5 to 3 bar, while regulators for factory-built natural gas vehicles partly work at 6 to 9 bar. Two-stage regulators such as the Bigas RI27 or the Metatron unit for the Iveco Stralis reduce the pressure in two steps.
- Vehicle voltage: the Tomasetto AT12 Super is available for 24 V systems (M14x1, 8 mm pipe); according to the product data, Tomasetto also supplies the 12 V AT12 EVO in 24 V on request.
- Integrated components: depending on the model, shut-off valve, high-pressure and temperature sensor are integrated – as on the BRC ZB Zenith and Bigas RI27 – or fitted separately, as with the Prins CNG regulator without shut-off valve. Matching pressure sensors are in the electronics range.
- Coolant connection: because the gas cools down strongly as it expands, many CNG regulators are connected to the coolant circuit, including the Tomasetto AT12 and the Ventrex regulator for Mercedes-Benz.
- Approval: CNG components are type-approved under UN ECE Regulation No. 110; the BRC Tecno M carries the number E13*110R00*0050.
Repair, accessories and documentation
For overhauls there are CNG repair kits, among others for Landi Renzo NG1, NG2 and TN1, Tomasetto AT04 and AT12 and Lovato RME. CNG solenoid coils – for Landi Renzo NG1/NG2 or the 24 V coil for the NG2-8, for example – are listed under Solenoid coils & cores, CNG pressure gauges under Accessories. A quick guide in English, Italian and Spanish is available on the Tomasetto AT12 Super product page; cylinders, valves and other material for natural gas systems are under CNG | Natural Gas and CNG cylinder valves.
Only trade customers can order; once registered as a business customer, net prices are unlocked. For owners of natural gas vehicles, HybridSupply finds a trade partner and a workshop to fit the regulator on request – get in touch via the contact form.
Frequently asked questions about CNG pressure regulators
How does a CNG pressure regulator work?
A CNG pressure regulator expands the natural gas, which is stored as a compressed gas, from the storage pressure of the cylinders – retrofit regulators such as the Tomasetto AT12 are designed for up to 260 bar inlet – to a constant working pressure at which the injectors deliver the gas. Depending on the design, this happens in one or two stages. A solenoid valve in or upstream of the regulator shuts off the gas supply, and because the gas cools down as it expands, many models are connected to the coolant circuit.