Total is acquiring the Dutch company PitPoint B.V., Europe’s third-largest provider of natural gas vehicle fuel. PitPoint B.V. is an integrated independent in alternative fuels with a network of around 100 natural gas fueling stations across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The company is also involved in biogas, hydrogen and electric vehicle charging points for road and maritime transport.
The acquisition will enable the Group to significantly increase its presence in the natural gas vehicle fuel sector, in particular to serve trucking and professional transport companies, and implement its plans to establish a network of 350 natural gas vehicle fueling stations in Europe by 2022.
“This acquisition is part of Total’s strategy to expand its low-carbon businesses, notably through the development of natural gas in which the Group is a global leader. Unlocking gas demand with new usages for transport is central to our integrated strategy of expanding along the natural gas value chain,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Total.
“There is strong development potential for natural gas vehicle fuel in the transport sector. Our aim is to combine PitPoint’s technological and commercial expertise acquired over the last ten years with Total’s strong retail marketing network and client portfolio. PitPoint will thus be central to the Marketing & Services segment’s ambitions in the natural gas vehicle fuel sector in Europe, in line with the aim of offering our customers clean energy solutions.”
The transaction will not affect PitPoint B.V.’s customers and employees. The terms and conditions of their contracts will remain unchanged.
Total already has a network of 450 natural gas vehicle fueling stations worldwide, including about 100 stations in Europe. The Group markets compressed natural gas (CNG) in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Egypt and Pakistan. It opened its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling station in 2015 in Belgium, near the port of Antwerp.
Total intends to fast-track the development of its natural gas vehicle network to reach a scale that meets the needs of its customers. Its target market is the transport sector in Europe, where the Group is able to leverage its existing network of more than 9,000 service stations for professional and individual clients. The priority will be accelerating growth in markets where Total is already active in natural gas vehicle fuel — Germany, the Benelux countries and France.
Advantages of Natural Gas Fuel
Natural gas fuel is recognized as one of the cleanest fossil fuels. Powertrain technologies using this type of fuel are quieter (50% less noise than diesel engines) and emit fewer particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx). They are compliant with the latest Euro VI emission standards for trucks. In addition, vehicles that run on natural gas fuel can display the Crit’Air 1 sticker, which allows access to restricted traffic zones in some major French cities.
(Source: Total)
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