News
Natural Gas Vehicles – Creating a Revolution in Transport
By Brett Jarman*
The automotive and transport sector is currently undergoing unprecedented and exciting change worldwide. Environmental, economic and energy factors have resulted in a global quest for alternatives to diesel and petrol to fuel our vehicles. While the alternatives are many, few can equal the promise shown by natural gas – it’s clean, safe, reliable, versatile, affordable, readily available and even renewable.
– Learn how to turn ‘interest’ into market demand. |
Until now, natural gas has been ‘the quiet achiever’, proving itself as a transport fuel on a sizeable scale – more than 10 million vehicles in over 81 countries throughout the world. Arguably the best kept secret in fuel alternatives, natural gas vehicles are currently undergoing a revolution, in some countries earning market share that positions natural gas alongside petrol and diesel as a ‘mainstream’ fuel.
All Roads Lead to Rome
Italy serves as a prime example of this revolution, where natural gas vehicles now account for more than 6.9% of new car sales. With more than 700 refuelling stations, 600,000 plus NGVs on the road, an outstanding choice for aftermarket conversions and a large amount of OEM natural gas vehicles available off the showroom floor, Italians are embracing NGVs in unprecedented numbers.
Italy’s NGV history dates back to World War II, and currently ranks 5th in the world for NGV population. Italy is also home to some of the world’s leading industry players in areas of conversion equipment, cylinder manufacture, OEM vehicle production, CNG compressor and dispensers, and even LNG equipment production.
It is against this backdrop that the IANGV chose Rome to hold NGV 2010, the 12th IANGV Biennial Conference and Exhibition.
Creating a Revolution in Transport
NGV 2010 will celebrate the successes of the pioneering phase and will leverage those successes to create more in the coming years.
Factors contributing to natural gas vehicles becoming a mainstream fuel are unstoppable and include:
- It’s available here and now – Not just a ‘hope for the future’, natural gas vehicle and engine technology is mature, proven and ready for use TODAY.
- Increasing OEM vehicle and engine manufacturer participation – more than 180 vehicles and models available.
- Natural gas can be applied to more classes of vehicle than any other fuel. (Yes – even diesel!)
- The emergence of biomethane technologies, making natural gas renewable and usable almost anywhere in the world.
- The increasing economic viability of liquefied natural gas (LNG), opening up even more high usage applications for natural gas vehicles.
- Unstable and increasing oil prices – not just making NGVs more attractive, but also making ‘stranded’ natural gas and coal bed methane reserves economically viable.
- Greenhouse benefits – undisputed and now attracting action from policy makers at the highest level.
The Revolution isn’t coming – it’s already here!
With much of the world suffering under economic pressure, the natural gas vehicle industry is beset with opportunities.
Join us in Rome, June 8-10 2010 as we roll our sleeves up and take the global natural gas vehicle industry to the next level.
Action Items
MARK YOUR DIARY NOW! If you only attend one industry event in 2010, make it NGV 2010.
BOOK YOUR EXHIBITION SPACE NOW! Don’t miss out, 75% booked already.
BECOME AN NGV 2010 SPONSOR. Stand out as an industry leader through our low cost, high return sponsorship program.
TELL YOUR SPOUSE. What a perfect opportunity for a side trip before or after NGV 2010. Our Partner’s Program will ensure your spouse has an exciting week while you keep the wheels of industry turning. (Of course, your spouse is welcome to join in our social program also, the highlight being our Gala Dinner at the Castel Sant’ Angelo, overlooking Vatican City.)
* Brett Jarman is IANGV Executive Director.
Thursday November 19, 2009
