A transport fuel with a future

Concerns over energy supply security, greenhouse-gas emissions and oil-price volatility are generating greater interest in natural gas vehicles, writes Ian Lewis

NATURAL gas has long been a popular fuel for fleet vehicles in South America. But new legislation is set to encourage the use of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the US – which could be a boost for Latin American NGV manufacturers. According to the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV), almost 10 million vehicles around the world run on natural gas – either solely or in a bi-fuel engine capable of running on either compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline. These are mainly fleet vehicles, such as short-haul delivery lorries and vans, taxis and buses, which can refuel at a central point. "In general, it's better to keep natural gas or biogas for fleet development, because y