The European Biogas Association (EBA), the Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) and the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) called for an acceleration in EU-wide infrastructure in a statement Tuesday to deliver natural gas and renewable gas or biomethane across the EU.
"Europe needs to trigger a successful energy transition as part of the roadmap leading to full net-zero emissions mobility by 2050," the joint call made by the three associations said.
The statement stressed that compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are concrete solutions for both private vehicles and freight transport by road in making 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," the statement read.
It added that 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 decarbonization process," it argued.
Therefore, the signatories called on the EU 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 and maintain support for R&I activities through EU funding schemes.
"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," ACEA Mobility & Sustainable Transport Director Petr Dolejsi was quoted as saying.
"Hence, we call on policymakers 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," he continued.
By Ebru Sengul Cevrioglu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr