Jürgen Trittin and the gas industry launch initiative for the development of a pan-European network of filling stations
Federal environment minister Jürgen Trittin expressed his opinion that the German government must consistently continue to promote natural gas as a fuel. Natural gas plays an effective role in environmental and climate protection. This is also confirmed by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy in a new study, presented today to Trittin during his visit to the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt by the president of the Institute, Professor Dr. Peter Hennicke and Dr. Manfred Scholle, President of the German Association of Gas and Water Industries, (BGW).
Trittin emphasised that the market potential for the alternative natural gas drive is by no means exhausted. "The Wuppertal Institute findings clearly show that natural gas also has long-term perspectives as a fuel and can play an important role in air pollution control and in reducing harmful emissions. By extending the favourable mineral fuel tax rate to 2020, the federal government has ensured long-term investment security." The minister indicated that the gas industry must now swiftly proceed with setting up an extensive network of filling stations, adding that the range of vehicles must also be considerable extended, with affordable prices. The market power of the consumer will also play a role here, through specific demand". Trittin said that he was particularly happy that among family cars, natural gas vehicles are topping the list of environmental cars recently published by the transport association Verkehrsclub Deutschland. "This proves," said Trittin, "in contrast to the use of soot filters, the German automotive industry's willingness to innovative, and results in it leading the market in this sector."
In its study, commissioned by the BGW and "erdgas mobil GmbH", the Wuppertal Institute finds that natural gas can play an important role in environmental and climate protection in the traffic and transport sector up to 2050. Biogas can act as an effective supplement here. The experts believe that for the next three to four decades major development of the hydrogen economy is impractical, for environmental reasons. The study indicates that for the foreseeable future it is more efficient to make direct use of electricity from renewable energies than to use it for the production of hydrogen. "This confirms that hydrogen for the car is not viable at present" said Trittin.
Together with representatives of the German gas industry, federal environment minister Jürgen Trittin subsequently launched an initiative for the European-wide market introduction of natural gas as a fuel. "Throughout Europe, we face the task of organising our mobility in an environmentally sound manner," Trittin said. "The environmental potential of the alternative drive can only be fully effective if we all work together in Europe to introduce it onto the market. The previous more nationally based initiatives must now be combined. Today we want to make a start on this, together with environmental, economic and transport politicians and with representatives of the gas and automotive industries. This is embedded in the EU Commission strategy for the promotion of alternative fuels. Ultimately it is quite simply and expressly a matter of enabling drivers of natural gas cars to be able to fill their tanks easily and conveniently, also in their neighbouring countries and holiday destinations. We are particularly depending on our French partners in this," said the Minister at the European Forum "Sustainable Mobility for Europe -into the future with natural gas".
During a tour of the IAA, at the Adam Opel AG stand executive director Klaudia Martini presented Trittin with a new natural-gas powered "Opel Zafira" car for the ministry, the fourth natural gas vehicle to be included in the Environment Ministry's car pool.
Further information on natural gas vehicles is available in German at www.erdgas-fahren.de