Phill is a natural gas Home Refueling Appliance (HRA) designed for use with consumer vehicles in residential environments.

How long does Phill take to fill a vehicle?

On average it will take approximately 4 hours to replenish the fuel consumed in 80 km / 50 miles of driving based on a vehicle consumption rate of 8 liters per 100 km or 30 mpg ( US).

How much electricity does Phill use?

At 800 watts, Phill uses less electricity than most small kitchen appliances.

Phill weighs approximately 43 kg. / 95 lbs.

Is Phill designed to be installed indoors or outdoors?

Can Phill be used with well gas?

No. Phill is designed and certified for use with pipeline quality natural gas only.

What are the installation requirements?

Where can I buy Phill?

What does Phill's Basic Warranty cover? ( USA only)

Phill's basic warranty is valid for one year or 1,000 hours of use (whichever comes first). The warranty starts either from the date of installation or one month from the date of delivery. This warranty covers any safety or performance related defects in material or workmanship. For more details please refer to the documents in the "Warranty" section of the “downloads” page.

What is the Remanufactured Phill Program?

Existing Phill owners can purchase a remanufactured Phill when the life of their original unit comes to an end. This remanufactured Phill will perform to the specifications of a new unit and will last for another 5 years or 6,000 hours of operation.

Is a natural gas vehicle more dangerous than a gasoline or diesel car?

No. Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are in fact, safer than most other vehicles. The natural gas used in cars is the same natural gas that is used in many millions of homes for cooking and eating.

Natural gas is lighter than air and in the event of an accident, will rise into the atmosphere away from its source. Vapors from liquid fuels on the other hand tend to 'pool' at ground level, creating the potential for explosions.

Natural gas is also relatively difficult to ignite, requiring specific concentrations and temperatures before ignition occurs.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders are tested in the most extreme conditions, even having bullets fired at them, before they receive standards approval.

Despite the safety characteristics of NGVs, proper safety precautions must still be observed. Caution should be taken when refueling and repairs or installations should only be carried out by qualified personnel.

Courtesy of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles

With fuel cell vehicles just around the corner, won't the benefits of NGVs be reduced?        

No. Most experts agree that we are at least 30 years away from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles being commercially viable. Though there are many trial vehicles operating around the world, the challenges of making these affordable are considerable.

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are seen as the perfect bridging technology to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.   Because natural gas is likely to be a major source of hydrogen fuel, NGV refueling infrastructure will service fuel cell vehicles. At this stage, on a life cycle basis, NGVs actually emit fewer pollutants than the so called 'zero emissions' fuel cell vehicles.

Courtesy of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles

Is a natural gas vehicle as powerful as a 'normal' vehicle?

The average motorist doesn't notice a difference between fuels, but usually there will be a variation - sometimes a natural gas engine will be more powerful and sometimes less.

Natural gas can operate under higher compression than gasoline, which increases efficiency, but another factor that affects power is whether or not a vehicle has been 'optimized' for natural gas. Bi-fuel vehicles are often optimized for gasoline which means the full 'value' of natural gas may not be realized.

Ironically, the low noise generated by a natural gas engine, compared to a diesel engine, sometimes gives the mistaken impression that the vehicle has lost power. Drivers unfamiliar with natural gas vehicles (NGVs) often report lower power, but upon testing, the vehicle is found to be more powerful than its diesel equivalent.  

As diesel and gasoline vehicles are requiring more and more 'after treatment' to reduce emissions, the efficiency and power of these vehicles is often reduced.

Courtesy of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles

Can I use LPG (Propane) in a natural gas vehicle?

No. Under no circumstances should LPG (Propane) be used in a natural gas vehicle. Nor should natural gas ever be used in an LPG vehicle.

Each system has different properties and operates under different pressures. Serious incidents have occurred where people have tried to use LPG in natural gas vehicles, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

Fortunately, strict standards for both the NGV and LPG industries prevent this from happening without illegal tampering of systems. Anyone who is aware of such tampering should advise local authorities.

Courtesy of the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles

Is it easy to refuel a CNG vehicle?

Yes. In many ways it's easier than using diesel or gasoline.

The process is similar but, because the refueling coupling is pressure sealed and because there are no liquids, there are no spills.

Users of home or work refueling systems have it even easier, as they have the convenience of refueling without interfering with their daily routine.

Of course, as with any fuel, proper safety procedures should be followed. Always ensure the engine is switched off before refueling.