Gasum Enjoys Rapid NGV Growth

The number of gas-fuelled vehicles in Finland broke the 10,000 mark last year, and while new registrations of cars fell by 5.2%, the number of gas-fuelled cars that were registered rose 84%, said state utility Gasum. And more gas fuelled cars were registered than all-electric vehicles. An increasing number of gas-fuelled heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) were also taken into use during 2019.

Gasum is rolling out a natural gas filling station network with 34 already operating in Finland and eight in Sweden; and aims to expand the heavy-duty filling station network by around 50 stations in Finland, Sweden and Norway by the early 2020s. Helsinki has set a target of introducing 50,000 gas vehicles on Finland’s roads by 2030. Gasum says it is ahead of this ambitious target, meaning a significant cut in transport emissions.

The gas-fuelled heavy-duty vehicle sector is also growing. Almost 4% of Scania's heavy-duty vehicles sold last year were powered by gas. Market research shows that a quarter of transport enterprises are considering natural gas and biogas. Using biogas to fuel road vehicles makes it possible to cut the greenhouse gas emissions generated over the fuel life cycle by up to 85% compared with traditional fossil fuels.

As well as air quality improvements. gas helps cut fuel costs and the switch to gas can help communicate a positive message to customers and consumers and stand out among competitors, Gasum said.