FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: 5 new NGV series models. European Commission visit to Erdgas Mobil stand

Every two years the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt attracts thousands of visitors. Also this year, 980 000 car enthusiasts attended the 64th IAA. Among the exhibiting companies presenting the most recent technology developments was also the German Association of the gas industry, responsible of the market and infrastructure development for methane in transport in Germany, which is also a Board member of NGVA Europe, Erdgas Mobil, hosting a huge stand for promoting NG/biomethane powered vehicles. Timm Kehler, General Manager of Erdgas Mobil, has drawn a very successful resume of this year´s Motor Show. Also the great interest in new NGV offers by the media during the press days on 13 and 14 September made clear that manufacturers have recognised the role of natural gas and biomtehane as the fuel of the future. Five methane powered vehicles were celbrating world premiere, including the Volkswagen Up!, Opel Zafira Tourer, Opel Combo, Fiat Panda, Mercedes-Benz B-class and the Audi A3.

The "Initiative for Natural Gas Mobility", in which Erdgas Mobil is representing the energy industry, has signed and handed over to government representatives a declaration of intent which includes an undertaking to increase further the number of natural gas filling stations. The first step will involve the founding of a new company intended to accelerate expansion of this network.

With their investments in recent years, a total of more than 450 energy supply and municipal utilities have now achieved good availability of this low-cost and environmentally friendly fuel, with some 900 filling stations distributed through many regions of Germany. These facilities are now to be further expanded, thanks to the positive responses stimulated by the participants in the "Initiative for Natural Gas Mobility".

The new company is currently at the setting-up stage, and is to take expansion of the filling station network as its prime task. Business operations are to start in early 2012. Not only the construction of new facilities at highly frequented locations, but also, in the mid term, the operation of existing natural gas filling stations on behalf of energy-supply utilities, are planned. This strategy is intended to enhance the customer friendliness of the products and services available and the efficiency of network expansion.

Dr. Gerhard Holtmeier, Chairman of the supervisory board of Erdgas Mobil, CEO of Thüga Aktiengesellschaft and Vice-Chairman of NGVA Europe, sees in this new company an important strategic orientation: "Alongside the heat market, the mobility sector is a decisive focus in the achievement of proclaimed climate aims. Even now, we have a Germany-wide filling station infrastructure and a broad range of attractive natural gas vehicles. The CO2 reduction targets in the field of transport can be achieved quickly and efficiently using precisely natural gas and bio natural gas as fuels, and we therefore intend to continue our long-term commitment in this field. An energy rating of 130 octane, combined with around 50 percent lower fuel costs and the ability to add regenerable bio natural gas at any ratio, are unbeatable advantages."