NGVs: The statistics

  • Over 13 million NGVs worldwide
  • 1.4 million NGVs in Europe
  • Reduce fuel costs by 30% (average lower CNG price compared to petrol/diesel reported by NGVA Europe)
  • Italy has approximately 730,000 NGVs
  • Germany has over 900 NGV refuelling stations
  • 65% of gas used in Sweden's transportation sector is renewable biogas
  • Madrid currently has over 480 CNG buses and 700 CNG refuse collection trucks

For further information, contact the Bord Gáis Networks CNG team
Email: cng@bge.ie
Tel: 021 453 4000

Bord Gáis Networks hosted a major international conference in Dublin in November 2011, exploring the role of natural gas as a viable alternative vehicle fuel. The conference examined the potential of natural gas as a transport fuel and discussed the key issues for developing a NGV market in Ireland. It was addressed by an expert panel of local and visiting speakers with delegates hearing from those with experience of operating NGVs as well as learning about some of the important issues around the economics, technology and infrastructure for NGVs.

The presentations from the conference can be accessed by clicking here

* View the full speaker line-up and conference programme.

Download the conference brochure here Download the full conference brochure here [PDF] >

Natural gas as a vehicle fuel

Natural gas is a widely used source of energy. In Ireland natural gas is an important fuel for power generation, heating and cooking. Natural gas can also be used as a transport fuel, known as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) are used extensively all over the world, with the Natural Gas Vehicle Association of Europe reporting over 13 million NGVs worldwide in February 2011. In Europe, fleet managers of trucks, buses, commercial and transport vehicles are increasingly looking to CNG when seeking to reduce fuel costs and reduce vehicle emissions.

There are significant benefits to using natural gas as a transport fuel, as outlined below:

Environmental benefits
Commercial benefits
Health benefits
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Pathway to a renewable fuel source through biogas
  • Reduce fuel costs
  • Provides security of supply
  • Uses proven technology
  • Lower local emissions (including Nitrogen Oxide and particulate matter) which improves air quality with resulting health benefits
  • Lower noise levels than diesel vehicles

Over the past 10 years there has been a significant growth in NGVs worldwide, with the market average reported to be approximately 30% growth annually. In Europe, countries including Italy, Germany, Spain and Sweden have been leading the market and also benefiting from NGV and CNG technology. In Ireland, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), transport is 99% dependent on oil.