Since mid 2009 until same period of this year, it was registered a growth of 12 per cent, from 10.7 million to 12 million NGVs. This last figure involves 401,000 buses and 218,000 heavy duty trucks powered by natural gas, with a raise of 31 and 35 per cent respectively. Moreover, the estimated annual CNG sales worldwide grew from 33.9 to 40.8 million Nm3 (20 per cent) with 17,900 stations serving the gaseous fuel.
According to the world report, European fleet experienced an increase of 18 per cent from 1.12 million by mid 2009 to 1.34 million vehicles by mid 2010. Sweden showed the largest growth as its fleet went from 18,600 to 28,100, what represents a 51 per cent. Italian NGVs reached 19 per cent, with almost 700,000 vehicles, while Germany grew by 6 per cent with 88,500 units driven by clean-burning natural gas.
Besides, European refuelling network rose by 3 per cent, with currently 3,570 dispensing points, while annual CNG sales rose from 5.0 to 8.7 million Nm3 (34 per cent). It is worth mentioning that in Europe methane is often around 50 per cent cheaper than gasoline and about 40 per cent cheaper than diesel.
On the other hand, the Asian market has also gone through a remarkable expansion. Thailand went from 147,000 to 193,000 NGVs hitting 31 per cent, Iran from 1.53 to 1.95 million with 27 per cent, Korea from 20,200 to 25,700 with also 27 per cent, and Pakistan from 2.19 to 2.59 million with 18 per cent.
Regarding South American countries, Colombia’s performance is significant as it increased by 17 per cent. While last year it had 291,000 NGVs, there are currently 340,000 CNG-driven vehicles.
All data shown is the result of work conducted by The GVR and NGVA Europe.
You will find the complete article about NGV global statistics in the October edition of The GVR. You can subscribe to the hard copy magazine through subscription@thegvr.com or download it for free here.
