Cutting Emissions Through Autogas: A Model for Europe
September 29, 2010 at 11:09 am No comments Category: UncategorizedThe French are converting to Autogas. That’s the message that Joel Pedessac, Director General of CFBP (the French LPG Association), has been delivering over the past year.
The statistics speak for themselves: In 2009, the uptake of new Autogas vehicles increased 10 fold in comparison with 2008; the total number of units brought to the market was 25,000 compared with just 2,600. These figures may look small when compared with Europe’s more mature Autogas markets like Poland and Italy (where 334,000 new Autogas cars were registered in 2009 alone!). However, they clearly demonstrate that the growing trend of buying or converting to Autogas fuelled cars is not just restricted to countries in which Autogas is already a popular alternative but also those, like France, where consumers have traditionally been more reluctant to move away from conventional fuels. These developments demonstrate that Autogas ins’t just a fuel of the future, but with over 5 million cars on the EU’s roads already, is also the alternative fuel of the present.
In terms of registrations in France, the share of autogas powered vehicles rose from 0.1% last year to 3.7% in the first months of 2010. The arrival of Autogas models manufactured by Chevrolet, Dacia, Renault, Citroen and Opel means the French consumer does not need to retrofit their car to benefit from a 2,000 Euro “ecological” tax credit which is available for any Autogas model which carries an emissions rating below 135g CO2/km. Combined with other advantages such as the significantly cheaper price of Autogas at the filling station, free or discounted vehicle registration, and free parking in a number of cities, the benefits are clear. Giving people a chance to save money at the same time as doing something for the environment will usually result in very positive outcomes. Given the current interest from customers in Autogas, this uptake of Autogas models is also set to continue to increase, creating a virtuous circle in which the choice of available models widens. CFBP predicts that there will be 62,500 new Autogas registrations in 2010, a particularly impressive figure if compared with a total fleet of 108,500 Autogas cars in 2009.
With such a wide range of choice for the consumer and the ecological tax guaranteed until at least the end of 2012, all indications are that France will continue to cut its road transport emissions for the coming years through increased uptake of Autogas.
Statistics provided by CFBP, whose site can be found at www.cfbp.fr
Autogas News from across Europe
It’s not just in France where drivers are taking the opportunity to cut emissions…
Malta
The Maltese Government has established technical and administrative rules for the retailing of and conversions to Autogas. Malta is seeking to mitigate its air quality problems and reduce its carbon footprint while also offering a cheaper alternative to diesel and petrol drivers.
Greece
In Greece, the industry and the government are in discussions to set fairer technical requirements for conversion workshops and Autogas filling stations as a means of enabling a greater uptake of this alternative fuel and while improving the security of supply in the country.
United Kingdom
In the UK, according to installers and equipment suppliers, there has recently been a rise in the interest in Autogas conversions. This is perhaps due to the outstanding performance of the Autogas powered Ford Focus in the Britich Touring Car Championship. The UK LPG Association is also playing a key role through offering a redeveloped Approved Installers Scheme for improved peace of mind for drivers wanting to convert to Autogas.
Netherlands
There has been increased interest in Autogas cars in the Netherlands with the recent introduction of four new Autogas models from Ford- the Mondeo, C-Max, Focus and Fiesta.
Spain
The governing authorities of both Madrid and Barcelona have in the past year committed to facilitating the uptake of Autogas by both their municipal fleets and individual drivers through a simplified permit system for filling stations wanting to supply Autogas, and a communications campaign aimed at the general public.
AEGPL External News – Issue 4, Sept 2010
