While Marchionne assured at several conferences that natural gas is the “only real and immediate alternative” to petroleum for vehicle use, Ferrero -a former Fiat executive now in charge of Chrysler powertrain- detailed that through partner Fiat, his company is having access to a full line of engines that can run on CNG.
“It is the most effective solution, in terms of costs and timing, to lessen this country’s reliance on oil,” said Marchionne at a meeting of business and political leaders on Mackinac Island, in the state of Michigan. He explained to the audience that natural gas is a rational alternative to gasoline that can provide a “near-term environmental solution” on the road to vehicle electrification.
According to Chrysler CEO, natural gas is plentiful, including reserves in Michigan and pipelines. He also added that fuelling stations are needed, but the infrastructure would be easy to build in the U.S. “It is just a question of working with governments,” Ferrero commented to The Detroit News.
On the other hand, Andrea Gerini, an advanced powertrain engineer with Fiat in Turin, Italy, highlighted the significant position NGVs manufacturing has in his country and the importance to have a government that “helps to develop infrastructure and offers incentives for CNG stations and for consumers”.
