October 28, 2021. The IV National Seminar on Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) marked the formal creation of the National NGV Committee, which is constituted as a permanent forum for discussion of the gaseous fuel market. The 64% growth of the fleet powered by this alternative in Brazil also stood out. The commission is made up of the organizations with the greatest representation in the gas industry and its objective is to strengthen the role of these agents with the government, organized civil society and the general public.
Among the most relevant institutions that participate in this initiative are the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan), the National Service of Industrial Learning (SENAI), the Union of the Vehicle Repair and Accessories Industry of Rio de Janeiro (Sindirepa), the Brazilian Biogas Association (ABiogás) and the National Organization of the Petroleum Industry (ONIP).
With the high price, mainly of gasoline, the installation of NGV kits in the country grew by 64% and 70% in Rio de Janeiro during the first half of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, according to a Firjan study carried out at the request of Sindirepa. This year alone, gasoline had more than 15 readjustments and accumulates an increase of more than 60% in refineries. In Brazil, for every Real spent on NGV, the driver travels twice as much as with gasoline and ethanol. In Rio, this ratio is 2.5 times and the state leads with 75% of all natural gas vehicles, according to Fernando Montera, Coordinator of Oil, Gas and Naval Content at Firjan.
The seminar carried out by Sindirepa, with the support of the Federation, dealt with the influence of gas vehicles in the economic and sustainable recovery for the mobility sector. Celso Mattos, Vice President of Firjan and President of the Union, warns that there is a deadline until 12/15/2021 for each owner to convert his vehicle and take advantage of the discount on the Property Tax on Motor Vehicles (IPVA).
Heloisa Borges, Director of Oil and Natural Gas Studies at the Energy Research Company (EPE), highlighted that NGV reduces greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter harmful to health compared to diesel and gasoline. EPE is also promoting the use of natural gas in heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
