NGVs battle zero-emissions rivals in EU transport sector
Fuelling vehicles with natural gas is often cost-effective, but a push to use even greener alternatives is holding the sector back
The use of natural gas in Europe's transport sector has slowed in 2019, reversing a previous upward trend, as competition with zero-emissions vehicles intensifies. The best growth prospects now lie in the commercial vehicles segment, industry observers say. New registrations of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the EU fell 50pc year-on-year to 9,546 in Q1 2019, according to European automobile manufacturers' association Acea. That contrasts with healthy growth seen in 2018, when new NGVs registrations were up 31.4pc year-on-year to 65,092. Nevertheless, NGVs still have a strong and growing appeal. "A greater focus on environmental emission limits supports the increasing penetration of natural g
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
