Biomethane Focus for Sustainable Transportation in Europe

26 April 2006

Biomethane is emerging as a key area of focus for the natural gas vehicle industry in Europe, according to an industry panel and press conference held at the annual meeting of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association this week in Brussels.

Biomethane, also called biogas, is identical to conventional fossil-fuel natural gas in terms of fuel use and emissions, but is carbon neutral in that the CO₂ emissions from biomethane vehicles (a) are from renewable sources and (b) would have been emitted to the atmosphere anyway in the form of the more potent greenhouse gas methane.

We have made this technology a top priority. This is the only way forward.

—Lena Sommestad, Minister for the Environment in the Swedish Ministry for Sustainable Development

Sweden is the recognized leader in biomethane development and projects. However, progress is slow, even for that country.

We are at a pivot point. After being in the NGV market for more than ten years, we are still waiting for the big breakthrough. We need to sell many, many, many more cars.

Fossil natural gas has to be phased out and replaced by renewable methane.

—Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo senior VP for brand, business and product strategy.

NGV Global reported that ENGVA Chairman Peter Boisen claimed that if prioritized by the European Government, methane gas could provide a 77% renewable share of transport fuels by 2030, with hybridization of commuter and distribution fleets saving a further 15%.