Study Reveals GHG Benefits of Gas in Transportation
A new study published by the Natural Gas Vehicle Association shows that using natural or biogas as a fuel for passenger cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 23% compared with petrol and by 7% compared with diesel, on a well-to-wheel basis. The reductions are greater in the heavy goods trucks sector, with both LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) cutting emissions by about 15% compared with diesel. In the marine sector, the cuts are even bigger, at 21% compared with conventional heavy fuel oil.
The study Greenhouse gas intensity of natural gas, intended for use as a reference study, also says that using renewable gas provides additional benefits towards carbon-neutral mobility: by blending natural gas with just 20% renewable gas, GHG emissions are reduced by 40% compared with oil-derived fuels.
The study confirms that the use of natural gas represents one of the most effective solutions to fight climate change and improve air quality in a cost-efficient way. Thanks to both CNG and LNG, a wide range of transportation modes, from small passenger cars to long haul trucks can deliver a reduction in both GHG emissions and local pollutants reduction.
The report also points out that gas is an "intrinsically clean fuel" and "concerns continue to surround urban air quality in many major cities and its consequent health impacts. In addition to the low GHG emissions, natural gas is the cleanest fuel to guarantee a particulate free combustion, aromatic free and close-to-zero NMHC as well as dramatically reducing NOx emissions, even under severe real driving conditions. NGVs offer a perfect solution with close-to-zero emissions level, available from today to improve air quality in the urban areas."