In quest for a sustainable motorisation: The CNG opportunity

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. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.