Brussels, 21 January 2020 – The European Biogas Association (EBA), the Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) are calling on EU policy makers to accelerate the deployment of infrastructure to deliver natural gas and renewable gas/biomethane across the European Union.
Europe needs to trigger a successful energy transition as part of the roadmap leading to full net-zero emissions mobility by 2050. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) are concrete solutions for both private vehicles and freight transport by road that can make an important contribution to this transition, while also being complementary to other alternative powertrain and fuel options.
The progressive incorporation of such renewables in both gas grids and pipelines will contribute to the further reduction of carbon from the road transport sector. A considerable amount of renewable gas is already available, fully in line with the strictest sustainability criteria.
To accelerate the switch to renewable gases and further bring down the tailpipe CO2 emissions of the current and future CNG and LNG fleets, the strategic and instrumental role of existing infrastructure has to be preserved. Not only new vehicles, but also the existing fleet can benefit from the wider use of renewable fuels, thereby contributing to the decarbonisation process.
Therefore, the signatories call on the European Union to:
- Expand natural gas infrastructure to evenly cover the whole EU territory.
- Support the integration and use of a growing rate of renewable gas in the market.
- Maintain support for R&I activities through EU funding schemes.
ACEA Mobility & Sustainable Transport Director, Petr Dolejsi: “All options need to be on the table for road transport. Natural and renewable gas is an available resource that can help to reduce CO2 emissions from new and existing vehicles. Hence, we call on policy makers to deliver what the EU Directive on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (DAFI) already provides and to put more emphasis on the roll-out of EU-wide infrastructure for all fuel and energy options in the future.”
“Gas mobility contributes to affordable, accessible, healthier and cleaner alternatives in the transport sector, fully in line with the European Green Deal. Bio-CNG and bio-LNG have very low well-to-wheel emissions and bring along multiple knock-on effects for the environment and European societies,” commented EBA Secretary General, Susanna Pflüger.
NGVA Europe Secretary General, Andrea Gerini noted “The use of natural & renewable gas is a quick and easy way to complement a complex system that will gradually change our way to move and to transport freights around the world. Recognizing its role for transport decarbonisation in the future revision of the legislative measures is the best way to create safe, secure, sustainable and efficient system in favour of European citizens’ mobility and companies’ logistics. And this needs to start as soon and fast as possible.”
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Notes for editors
- The EBA/NGVA Europe/ACEA joint call for the acceleration of the deployment of natural and renewable gas and of the refuelling infrastructure across the EU can be found here.
About EBA
- EBA is the voice of renewable gas in Europe. Founded in February 2009, the association is committed to the active promotion of the deployment of sustainable biogas and biomethane production and use throughout the continent. EBA counts today on a well-established network of more than 100 European organisations, scientific institutes and companies
- For more information, visit and follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/European_Biogas.
- Contact: Angela Sainz Arnau, Communications Manager, sainz@europeanbiogas.eu, phone +32 (0) 2 400 10 89.
About NGVA Europe
- The Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) is an European association that promotes the use of natural and renewable gas as transport fuel. Founded in 2008, its 129 members from 28+3 countries include companies and national associations from across the entire gas and vehicle manufacturing chain. It defends their interests to European decision-makers to create accurate standards, fair regulations and equal market conditions.
- Furthermore, the association relies on active networks among its members to develop studies and roadmaps to support our advocacy actions with Institutions and stakeholders. It acts also as reference information hub to provide information about NGVs market and refuelling infrastructure development.
- For more information, visit www.ngva.eu and follow us on Twitter @NGVAEurope.
- Contact: Robin Hörrmann, Communications & Events Manager, robin.hoerrmann@ngva.eu, phone +32 470 77 34 28.
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus manufacturers: BMW Group, CNH Industrial, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Ferrari, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group.
- More information about ACEA can be found on www.acea.be or www.twitter.com/ACEA_eu.
- Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.be, phone +32 2 738 73 45 or +32 485 88 66 47.