In order to choose the most suitable alternative fuel for a climate-neutral future, during the life of the vehicle, it is essential to consider emissions from the entire fuel extraction, production and consumption cycle, not only the direct emissions of the vehicle.
When analysing different types of fuel, several important factors shall be taken into account: energy efficiency by transferring primary energy resources into motion, overall environmental impact, and the availability of the resources. It is most important to use the well-to-wheel principle for comparison between all types of vehicles, i.e., to cover the entire fuel production chain, not just the environmental impact of fuel consumption in a car.
Financial support can be obtained for switching over to more eco-friendly road vehicles. According to Reinis Bērziņš, chairman of the board of the ALTUM development finance institution, its business energy efficiency programme includes financing the renovation of road vehicle fleets using greener vehicles, including those using CNG as fuel.
Natural gas and biomethane will play a significant role in long-term freight and passenger transport; however, experts concluded that the promotion of the use of alternative fuels requires infrastructure, fiscal and financial support, as well as a review of European Union (EU) policies, during the conference ‘Gas and Transport. Myths. Reality. Benefits’. The main topic of the discussion was the achievement of international climate objectives, while maintaining the competitiveness of transport companies.
On 13 October of this year, during the conference of Latvijas Gāze ‘Gas and transport. Myths. Reality. Benefits.’ a panel discussion was held, in which experts and attendees discussed options for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport in order to meet international climate objectives while maintaining the competitiveness of the businesses.
Latvia, as with other Member States of the European Union, is committed to achieving ambitious climate objectives in the field of energy and transport. One of these objectives is to promote the use of cleaner energy for transportation.
Continuing to develop the availability and infrastructure of CNG, or compressed natural gas, on 29 January this year, a Virši refuelling station was opened in Riga, at 102 Lubānas Street, where it is possible to refuel with the environmentally friendly and economical CNG.