As the year draws to a close it is appropriate to think about what 2006 meant for the natural gas vehicle  (NGV) industry.  The most important event was NGV2006 in Cairo in November.  The exhibition and the papers truly spelled out the international nature of the NGV industry.

NGV Global regularly carries items from around the world, as its name implies.  It is however instructive to look at two of the regional association newsletters to see how the international scene is important to the readers and members of both associations.  In the most recent NGVAmerica newsletter there were items on:
•    NGV buses in Korea and the visit to Korea by the US Commerce Secretary
•    the European Parliament deliberations on a greater role for NGVs
•    the taxi project in Berlin
•    availability of natural gas for an increased number of NGVs in India
•    natural gas motorcycles in Bangladesh
Similarly, the most recent ENGVA News had had items on:
•    progress of the ECO-Fuel World tour, now in Asia
•    the booming Iranian NGV market
•    ISO Round Table on Harmonization of Gaseous Fuel Codes, Standards and Regulations

Even with five million NGVs around the world, in most places we scarcely make a mark.  Compared with the gas industry, vehicle industry and the oil industry, the NGV industry is still small.  The rationale for the formation of IANGV back in 1986 was the need to work internationally in order to make an impact.  This is still the case.

We need international effort to bring about harmonisation of standards and codes in order to reduce the cost of NGV equipment.  We need more models and greater demand from a wider range of countries for natural gas vehicles made by the vehicle industry.  The growth of the use of natural gas buses is a good example of what can be achieved. 

Internationally we need good media relations in order to publicise the NGV success stories and to counteract the hype of other alternative fuels that do not have the international track record of NGVs.  We need to capitalize on our international strength, to share experiences and to build on the undoubted successes that have been achieved around the world.  Each existing member of IANGV can do his or her bit to foster these aims and so contribute to the common good, a vibrant and profitable NGV industry.

Let’s do it even better in 2007 and keep our eyes on the target of 50 Million NGVs by 2020.

I wish all members and aspiring members of the NGV industry the compliments of the Season and all good wishes for 2007.