Opel Zafira EcoFlex
Schultz van Haegen, Minister of the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, has set aside EUR 2.6 million (USD 3.79 million) in grants for the purchase of new company cars that run on green gas, biogas and higher blends of biofuels. The program starts July 1st and is an initiative of the ministry to encourage companies, water authorities and research institutions to use of clean fuels while reducing CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuels.
The pilot grant program for sustainable mobility: biogas and higher blends of biofuels, will run from July 1 to December 30, 2011. A minimum of three new commercial vehicles (passenger cars or vans) per application. The grant is EUR 3000 (USD 4370) per car and up to EUR 100,000 (USD 145,700) per project. The cars must purchased ready to operate on clean fuels or be converted to operate on clean fuels immediately upon delivery.
The Ministry says that although the use of alternative fuels such as green gas, biogas and biofuel blends higher is better for the environment and climate and makes the Netherlands less dependent on fossil fuels, many companies still refused to buy a car that runs on biogas or a higher blend biofuels because the benefits and uses are still unclear. The grant program, carried out by Agentschap NL, part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, is expected to change this.
This article compiled using information from an Agentschap NL press release.
The usage of these renewable energy resources is good for the environment for they create fewer emissions that could contribute negatively for climate change. There are still studies to be made to convince car buyers and company to patronize these types of vehicles. I hope the department of energy will do a lot of effort to make this possible in the future.