Title: In quest for a sustainable motorisation: the CNG opportunity

Authors: Andrea Stocchetti, Giuseppe Volpato

Addresses: Ca' Foscari University, Faculty of Economics, Dept. of Business Economic and Management, S. Giobbe – Cannaregio 873, I-30121 – Venezia – Italy. ' Ca' Foscari University, Faculty of Economics, Dept. of Business Economic and Management, S. Giobbe – Cannaregio 873, I-30121 – Venezia – Italy

Abstract: This article describes the opportunity deriving from the substitution of conventional fuels with the compressed natural gas (CNG). The advantages of this fuel are: a) relevant, as it concerns consumer|s expenses and ecological aspect; b) rapidly achievable; c) close to hand for Europe, the USA and other countries where the motorisation is at the take-off stage, like the BRIC countries and Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia and so on. These advantages makes CNG a viable solution, with relevant advantages both on the side of pollution and expenses, while waiting for the availability of new technologies. Presently, the most important bottleneck for a large-scale implementation of this solution is represented by a possible shortage in the distribution network. Those countries crossed by gas pipeline could rapidly overcome this bottleneck without relevant costs. Otherwise, the solution could be achieved either through gas carrier|s ships or through local production of biomethane by the exploitation of biomasses.

Keywords: sustainable motorisation; compressed natural gas; CNG; automobile industry; low emission cars; sustainability; sustainable development; distribution networks; automotive fuels; biomethane; biomass.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2010.031454

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.10 No.1, pp.13 - 36

Published online: 05 Feb 2010 *

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