More than 1,100 vehicles using natural gas as fuel were registered in Spain in 2016 and currently the total number of vehicles is 6,100, mainly heavy-duty and of intensive use vehicles. The use of natural gas in heavy vehicles causes that they stop consuming annually more than 142,000 tons of diesel. In addition, there has been a strong increase in sales of natural gas vehicles, which was 133% in 2016 compared to the previous year. This scenario demonstrates how natural gas is the first alternative fuel used in transport in Spain.
‘Near zero emissions’ vehicles are those that meet Euro VI and use CNG/LNG as fuel. In these vehicles the emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are practically zero. The particles (PM) represent a reduction of 96% over the limits allowed by European regulations. In addition, these two elements are considered as the main responsible for the low air quality in cities. Given this reality, natural gas has become the real and economic alternative to traditional diesel, assuming a savings of 30% per kilometer compared to diesel and 50% compared to gasoline.
Under the motto “Natural gas guarantees air quality,” the 5° edition of GASNAM Congress will be held on 7-8 March in Madrid. For two days, Kinépolis will be the venue for talks and round tables on natural gas as a real solution to the problem of air quality in cities, the concept of ‘near zero emissions’ and new European projects presented from Spain and Portugal on natural gas mobility.
The event will also analyze the role played by international agencies and the initiatives being undertaken by national and local administrations to encourage the expansion of CNG and LNG as alternative fuels in the different modes of transport. In addition, it will bring together international, national and local authorities as well as companies from the sector, who will give their vision of the problem of air quality and its possibilities of solution. The V GASNAM Congress has Enagás, Galp, Gas Natural Fenosa, Iveco and Reganosa as sponsors, and Bureau Veritas, DNV GL, Endesa, Ferrosite, IDIADA, Lloyd’s Register, NIPSA, Molgás and Renault Trucks as collaborators.
Source: GASNAM