The Spanish power company Endesa has begun installing a new refueling station for compressed natural gas (CNG) which will be located in the Cas Tresorer station, with the objective of providing natural gas to the twelve buses from the Transport Municipal Company Transport (EMT) of Palma, which will be operational at the end of 2009.

   Endesa has awarded the contract by two years of CNG supply convened by the EMT for the twelve buses which will travel with this new fuel, as reported by the energy company in a press statement. According to Endesa, the installation is a landmark in Mallorca because it is the first of its kind and also coincides with the recent milestone of the arrival of natural gas to the Balearic Islands.

   The company has stressed that natural gas allows vehicles to run at less polluting levels and it is an ideal option for taxi fleets and courier or delivery trucks, which see the CNG as an alternative to diesel fuel by virtue of their savings, low air and noise pollution.

   Endesa said natural gas is a motor fuel substitute for gasoline in internal combustion ignition engines and partially for those of diesel compression ignition engines. It further stressed that because its combustion is more efficient, this type of fuel extends engine life, reduces the frequency of oil changes and increases the useful life of lubricants, spark plugs, air filters and oil.

   The Spanish company said that another advantage of natural gas as fuel is to be lighter than air, so in case of leakage it disperses rapidly into the atmosphere instead of accumulating forming low-level concentrations.