Representing major gas associations in Europe, GasNaturally calls on European Parliament committees to factor in the benefits of gas in transport when voting on the CO2 targets for cars proposal in July and September. It argues for technology neutrality, a term often used by the EC but not, platform members as in transport is a mature and available technology, and it is a cost-efficient solution to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
GasNaturally shares concerns expressed by ACEA on the need to consider affordable solutions when defining CO2 targets for cars. Prohibiting European consumers from accessing more affordable energy sources would strongly affect the CO2 reductions efforts in the transport sector. Instead, opting for a technology-neutral approach would guarantee a fair comparison of the CO2 footprint among different powertrains. It will help open the European markets to all available solutions and ensure full affordability across the high, medium and low-wealth EU Members States.
Affordability is a major factor in consumer uptake – market surveys show that in some regions an electric vehicle would need to cost €15 – €17K to be affordable to an average consumer. This price is far from being the reality now. In contrast, gas cars are already affordable, and so is gas itself. Not only does gas help consumers to save on fuel, it also helps reduce climate-related emissions from transport.
Furthermore, the gas technology is ready and able to switch to a blend of renewable and natural gas, whereas the existing gas infrastructure can also accommodate the growing share of renewable gas.
Concentrating efforts and resources on a single solution, in this case on electricity, would lead to limited emissions reductions results. It would also significantly delay the much needed GHG emission reductions in the transport sector – something that can be achieved with gas already today! The EU policymakers should look at all the readily-available and affordable solutions without forcing the system to accelerate only in one direction at the expense of consumers.
GasNaturally Members
- EUROGAS: an association representing the European gas wholesale, retail and distribution sectors.
- European Gas Research Group (GERG): a research and development organisation
- Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE): representing the interests of natural gas infrastructure operators active in natural gas transmission, storage and LNG regasification.
- International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP): encompasses most of the world’s leading publicly-traded, private and state-owned oil and gas companies, oil and gas associations and major upstream service companies.
- International Gas Union (IGU) (Observer): a worldwide non-profit organisation promoting the political, technical and economic progress of the gas industry with the mission to advocate gas as an integral part of a sustainable global energy system.
- Marcogaz: the representative organisation of the European Natural Gas Industry
- NGVA Europe: the European stakeholder that promotes the use of natural gas and renewable methane as a fuel mainly in vehicles and also in ships.
Source: GasNaturally
