Germany: NGV market gains momentum

According to DENA, the increase is largely due to the introduction of new models like the VW eco up!, Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii. Other NGV models will be launched in the upcoming month, such as the VW Golf, Audi A3 and the new Mercedes B-Class. In spite of the higher purchase costs, the overall costs of owning and operating natural gas cars are significantly lower than petrol or diesel cars, and they have a far better CO₂ balance, especially when combined with biomethane.

“The recent figures are pleasing, but the market for natural gas vehicles has a lot of room for improvement,” said DENA’s Chief Executive Stephan Kohler. “To reach the potential indicated by the German Federal Government of 1.4 million NGVs by 2020, growth must increase further. Policy-makers should provide additional incentives – with long-term benefits in fuel tax and price transparency at filling stations.”

The “Initiative for Natural-Gas-Based Mobility” brings together vehicle manufacturers (Daimler, Fiat, Iveco Magirus, Opel, Volkswagen Group, VDIK – Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), filling stations (BP/Aral, Shell, Uniti – German Federal Association of Medium-Sized Oil Companies), the natural gas and biogas industry (erdgas mobil, Verbio, Wingas), gas engineering (figawa – German Federal Gas and Water Industry Association) and ADAC. The initiative is coordinated by dena.

Source: DENA