December 19, 2022. In the north of Santa Catarina, the Mime Araquari Sul filling station became the first in the Brazilian state to operate with a high-flow compressed natural gas (CNG) supply for heavy vehicles. Located on BR 101, km 56, the facility is strategically located in the most important road corridor of Santa Catarina, which connects the great flow of cargo transportation between the states of the southern and southeastern regions.
According to SCGÁS engineer Ronaldo Lopes, adjusting the fuel flow cuts the truck’s filling time practically in half. “Today, with the implementation of this new structure, the estimated supply time for 240 cubic meters is approximately 15 minutes,” he explains. Efficiency in refueling time adds to other well-known benefits of CNG, which is a less polluting alternative to other fossil fuels.
For Santa Catarina, the inauguration of the first CNG station with a high-flow supply infrastructure also means that the state consolidates itself at the forefront and contributes to the opening of this market for heavy natural gas vehicles at a regional and national level. “The use of fuel in heavy vehicles brings a gain of scale, operational savings for the different carriers, as well as a significant environmental gain, consequently developing this market and offering conditions to make more projects viable in a sustainable way and improve the economy as a whole”, Lopes points out.
In order to continue developing the local market, the Santa Catarina Gas Company (SCGÁS) foresees in its strategic plan actions to expand the network of refueling stations with high-flow supply. In addition to the newly opened facility in Araquari, the state is due to receive new gas supply points for trucks next year. “It is probable that, by the first half of 2023, we will have two more stations in Santa Catarina on the BR 101 highway, which will begin to operate establishments similar to this one, dedicated to the supply of high-flow heavy-duty vehicles,” highlights the engineer.
