Biogas companies call on EU to boost bio-LNG and bio-CNG

The European Biogas Association, the Natural & Biogas Vehicle Association and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association have called on the EU to expand natural gas and renewable gas/biomethane infrastructure to help achieve the bloc's 2050 net-zero emissions target. The groups said compressed and liquefied natural gas were "concrete solutions" for all road vehicles, and urged the EU to support the renewable gas sector via funding schemes.

Bio-CNG and bio-LNG are “concrete solutions” for EU transport sector, say firms

Three organisations in the biogas and transport sector have called on EU policymakers to boost the deployment of infrastructure to deliver natural gas and renewable gas/biomethane across the European Union (EU).



The European Biogas Association (EBA), the Natural & Biogas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) believe Europe needs to “trigger a successful energy transition” as part of the roadmap to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.



Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are “concrete solutions” for both private vehicles and freight transport by road, according to the joint statement. Although renewable gas is already available and in line with stringent sustainability criteria, the EBA, NGVA and ACEA believe the role of existing infrastructure must be preserved to help boost the switch to renewable gases.



The three organisations are calling on the EU to expand natural gas infrastructure to “evenly cover” the whole EU territory, support the integration and use of a growing rate of renewable gas in the market and maintain support for R&I activities through EU funding schemes.



“All options need to be on the table for road transport,” said ACEA mobility and sustainable transport director Petr Jolejsi. “Natural and renewable gas is an available resource that can help to reduce CO2 emissions from new and existing vehicles. Hence, we call on policymakers to deliver what the EU Directive on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (DAFI) already provides and to put more emphasis on the roll-out of EU-wide infrastructure for all fuel and energy options in the future.”



EBA secretary-general Susanna Pflüger added: “Gas mobility contributes to affordable, accessible, healthier and cleaner alternatives in the transport sector, fully in line with the European Green Deal. Bio-CNG and bio-LNG have very low well-to-wheel emissions and bring along multiple knock-on effects for the environment and European societies.”



According to NGVA Europe secretary-general Andrea Gerini, the use of natural and renewable gas is a “quick and easy way” to complement a complex system that will gradually change the way we travel and to transport freights globally. Gerini said: “Recognising its role for transport decarbonisation in the future revision of the legislative measures is the best way to create safe, secure, sustainable and efficient systems in favour of European citizens’ mobility and companies’ logistics. And this needs to start as soon and as fast as possible.”