Environmental Technologies and Eco-innovation in the Czech ...

3.4 | CNG technology
Using CNG for vehicles means almost zero emissions of solid pollutants of PM
and SO 2 , CO 2 emissions lower by 10 to 15% compared to diesel engines and by
20 to 25% lower compared to petrol engines. CNG also reduces NO x emissions by
up to 60% compared to diesel engines. CNG engines contribute to the reduction
of ground-level ozone 5 production. Another important property is more silent
running compared to classical engines. CNG vehicles also have a longer travelling
distance, lower operating costs and in the event of fire, there is virtually no risk of
fuel tank explosion. Disadvantages include higher purchase costs and insufficient
infrastructure.
In the Czech Republic, there are several manufacturers of CNG buses (Tedom s.r.o.,
SOR Libchavy spol. s r.o., Iveco Czech Republic, a. s., Ekobus a.s.), filling stations
(Vítkovice Cylinders a.s., Bonett Bohemia, a.s., Adast Systems, a.s.) and a leading global
manufacturer of seamless pressure containers (Vítkovice Cylinders a.s.). Compared to
some other countries (Italy 432 900, Germany 68 700, Sweden 13 400, Switzerland
3 600 vehicles), their rate of use in the Czech Republic is low at the moment, only
approximately 1 300 vehicles. The potential of using CNG technology in transportation
is high and depends on legislation, the supply of vehicles and infrastructure. In the
Czech Republic, there is legislative support in the form of a zero consumer tax and
vehicle excise duty, subsidies for the purchase of public mass transport vehicles and
public line traffic vehicles. However, infrastructure and the selection of CNG vehicles
are insufficient.
The gas company RWE Transgas, a.s., buys
Opel Combo CNG in order to renew its fleet.
The CO 2 emissions in these vehicles are
132 g per kilometre, i.e. 15 g less than in
vehicles the company was using before. At
the annual load of 30 000 km, one vehicle
produces 450 kg of CO 2 less. RWE is planning
to get more than 100 CNG vehicles, saving
at least 45 tonnes of CO 2 per year. Gasfuelled
company cars are also being
implemented in VÍTKOVICE HOLDING, a.s.
The fleet renewal will be completed in 2009
and as a result, all 200 current vehicles will
be replaced with CNG cars.
5 ground-level ozone – a hazardous gas that is found just above the Earth’s surface
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