Gazprom joins forces with Iveco, Gaz and Caterpillar to boost NGV sector in Russia

As a result, Iveco and Gazprom will carry out testing and development programs for CNG-operated vehicles. Economic proposals to encourage a wider use of these alternatives at both regional and national levels are also included within the scope of the collaboration, as well as the organization of campaigns to promote them. The program for the construction of new CNG filling stations undertaken by Gazprom will be aligned with the current geography of NGV applications in Russia.

In addition, GAZ Group and Gazprom have agreed to cooperate on using natural gas as a motor fuel. The memorandum has been signed last week by Bo Andersson, President/CEO of GAZ Group, and Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom, at Saint-Petersburg International Economic Forum 2013. The goal of the cooperation is to develop and implement methane-powered vehicles of different classes in Russia as well as to generate favorable conditions for the development of a domestic market for them.

According to the memorandum, GAZ Group is involved in the adaptation of the industrial and technological base of companies operating natural gas vehicles in accordance with current regulatory documents. Gazprom, in turn, shall provide the filling facilities for NGVs, coordinate construction of the infrastructure facilities in areas with a high concentration of them, and facilitate testing of such vehicles. Besides that, both companies agreed upon mutual interaction while developing projects associated with using natural gas as an engine fuel (e.g. identification of regions for both vehicles and fueling stations adoption and organization of training courses for engineers and technical specialists).

Last but not least, Gazprom has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Caterpillar regarding NGV sector. The document provides for exploring the possibilities for interaction aimed at introducing various natural gas-powered equipments in Russia. It is planned that mining and petroleum industries, railroad transport, power generation and shipbuilding will be the major areas of joint activities for the expansion of natural gas-powered equipment utilization.

Source: Gazprom / Iveco / Gaz Group.