Italgas, the leading gas operator in Italy and third in Europe, in December commenced the conversion of its entire fleet to methane-powered vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The first new cars were delivered to Turin, and thereafter to Rome and Naples, two of the main cities in which the Italgas Group operates. The company has set upon what is calls a virtuous path toward limiting transport-related harmful emissions.
The delivery of the cars took place at the historic Italgas area of Corso Regina Margherita in Turin. On this occasion, Alfredo Altavilla (Chief Operating Officer for the EMEA area of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and Giacomo Carelli (CEO of FCA Bank and Leasys) symbolically handed over the keys to Paolo Gallo (CEO of Italgas) and Paolo Bacchetta (CEO of Italgas Reti).
The methane transformation of the company fleet – the first in Italy to be fully integrated – is one of the initiatives launched with the Italgas 2017-2023 Business Plan. The Plan also envisaged the creation of over 120 new CNG refueling sites, adding to Italy’s already well-developed network of almost 1100 filling stations, the largest national network in Europe.
The approximately 2,500 vehicles that currently make up the Italgas Group fleet will be replaced over the next 12 months with the latest “natural power” models by FCA: Panda, Panda Van, Fiorino, 500L, Doblò, Qubo and Ducato, all contributing to sustainability and efficiency, the cornerstones of Italgas development.
Today, natural gas is a smart and eco-sustainable choice. It is an ecological, safe, practical and economical fuel. Its use reduces up to 43% CO2 emissions (mixed with biomethane, in the well to wheel optics) and 94-95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is among the first manufacturers to believe and invest in the development of this type of vehicle. Today it is among the leaders in the European market, with about 45 percent share, over 740,000 cars and commercial vehicles sold since 1997 and Panda, the most methane car ever chosen, with more than 300 thousand units sold.
Also on the occasion of this partnership, Leasys confirms its role as a leader in the management of company fleets and in the long-term rental sector. Leasys is a joint venture between FCA Italy SpA and CA Consumer Finance SA (a company belonging to the Crédit Agricole group).
Source: Italgas
