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
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
