The Spanish Association of LPG Operators (AOGLP) has presented the “Technological and market study of alternative fuels in Spain and Europe”, prepared by the consultancy Applus + Idiada, which establishes a comparison between alternative fuels (Autogas, natural gas and electric vehicles), in terms of efficiency, consumption and emissions. The report compares vehicle supply, range, total cost of operation (TCO) and reduction of road traffic emissions (including CO2 on a well-to-wheel basis), among other factors.
Regarding infrastructure, the study data shows a clear roll-out of Autogas refuelling points at conventional service stations, currently reaching 603 facilities, a figure that is able to meet the demand of five times the current fleet of vehicles that use it. On the other hand, there are less than 60 refuelling stations for natural gas vehicles, while public charging points for electric vehicles reach 876 individual recharging points.
The driving range is a great advantage of vehicles powered by LPG, as well as by natural gas: since there is the possibility of installing two fuel tanks, the range is very high, reaching 1,100 kilometres and allowing to leave urban areas without experiencing fuel anxiety. In the case of electric vehicles, their low autonomy in average means they should be preferred for daily urban journeys, a circumstance that could only be overcome with higher capacity batteries that, on the other hand, raise their price substantially.
There are over 40 Autogas vehicle models available in the market, with a similar cost to natural gas vehicles and much lower than electric car models, in addition to the possibility of converting almost all models to LPG at an affordable and amortisable cost in the short term.
Regarding emissions and pollution, all alternative fuels help cut CO2 emissions, with the electric vehicle offering 0 emission at the tailpipe. However, during the generation of the electric power, CO2 can be generated, said the report based on statistics from the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), the European Commission and the European Parliament, among other entities. Thanks to the reduction of NOx and particulate emissions, which improves air quality, Autogas and natural gas and hybrid electric vehicles are classified with an ECO label, certified by the Generation Direction of Transport (DGT).
In turn, according to data from the DGT, the trend indicates a decrease in diesel vehicles registrations, favouring the rise of petrol and alternative fuel vehicles.