April 20, 2012. The high price of oil in the world and low cost of natural gas in Colombia created the ideal place for business expansion of natural gas vehicles (NGV) market.

   This was stated by the NGV Demand Manager of Gazel, Santiago Medina Mejia, explaining that doubts about the efficiency of fuel left behind, especially in the movement of heavy goods and passengers vehicles, to the point that in the next five years about 30.000 units will be renovated, opening an important window of business in the NGV industry.

   The Manager said such is the confidence in the fuel that the scans have increased in the country to meet the daily demand, which now exceeds 57 million cubic meters per month.

   Colombia has 370.000 vehicles converted to natural gas and this year gas producing companies undertook, together with the Government, to convert 46.000 public service vehicles, which will ease the owner's pocket to the high cost of gasoline.

   The Manager of Gazel said the economic difference between diesel and natural gas is 30%, resulting in substantial savings and allows cities are cleaner.

   Currently, companies such as TCC and Servientrega performed a pilot project in their fleets with vehicles powered by natural gas. Also Metroplús, operated by the Metro of Medellin, is using this fuel. And public transport companies in Barrio Valdes of Medellin, Rio Cali of Cali, among others, use this gaseous fuel because it is more economical and cleaner.

   The Government was very clear in stating in the National Development Plan that in those projects where the nation had participation as mass transit systems, fuels should be used, with equal efficiency, are those more economic and environmentally suitable for health, which opens a door to higher natural gas market in the country.