140,000 vehicles were switched to CNG during 2011
15-03-12
The number of conversions is expected to grow by 15% this year in Argentina
In an interview with Prensa Vehicular magazine, the president The Argentinean Chamber of Compressed Natural Gas (CAGNC), Fausto Maranca, said that expectations are really high for natural gas vehicles all over 2012. The context is favorable due to the liquid fuels shortage, the constant hikes in gasoline prices and the development of conversion technologies.
According to the executive, drivers of high-end vehicles "represent a large segment of the automotive fleet and make up NGV potential users, since the moment the factory warranty expires." For these reasons, as well as the growing interest of the national government in promoting the use of methane powered heavy-duty vehicles, the CAGNC president forecasts that conversion figures will be increased approximately by 15 percent during 2012, in comparison with last year-end results.
He also assured that there have been very positive promotional effects as a result of the
caravan held last November with light, medium and heavy-duty powered methane on the road covering the route Rosario-Mendoza-Buenos Aires. As Maranca reported, this experience will be repeated this year, perhaps with shorter journeys, especially to attract vans drivers, bearing in mind that a million of this type of vehicles are diesel powered ones.
The executive also revealed that the association he presides keeps in touch with officials from various departments of the national government. The contacts gained during the V ExpoGNC Buenos Aires remain tight these days with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Industry.
The CAGNC also promotes the incorporation of other environmentally friendly gaseous fuels, "such as biogas and hydrogen. Argentina has an enormous potential for the production of renewable fuels," Maranca concluded.