Considered the most environmental friendly and most economical alternative to conventional fuels, natural gas/biogas has attracted a growing number of road users. In general, vehicles running exclusively on natural gas emit 24% less CO2 than those running on petrol. In Switzerland, even if the gas industry committed before the Confederation to distribute fuel containing at least 10% biogas (called hereinafter 90/10 mix), a renewable energy source CO2 neutral and produced from waste, it has offered since 2007 a mix that includes an average of 20% biogas (hereinafter 80/20 mix) which reduces CO2 emissions by 39%. With an average price of CHF 1.16 per litre of equivalent petrol
(CHF 1.70/kg) it represents over 30% in savings compared to petrol.


Urban cars : The VW eco up! and the Fiat 500 TwinAir turbo erdgas

Available on the Swiss market at the end of this year, the VW eco up! will be introduced in World Premiere on the gazmobile booth at the International Motor Show 2012 during public days. Its CO2 emissions have been reduced to 71 g/km based on 90/10 mix (63 g/km on 80/20 mix). Its average fuel consumption is 2.9 kg of natural gas/biogas per 100 km, equivalent to 4.2 litres of petrol, with a 50 kW/68 hp engine. (provisional data provided by VW).

The first urban car developed for the Swiss market in a natural gas/biogas version, the Fiat 500 TwinAir erdgas turbo captured the public’s attention upon its launch last year and will be present this year once again. With CO2 emissions at 72 g/km based on 90/10 mix (64 g/km on 80/20 mix), it became the winner of the Ecomobiliste 2011 classification, of the Association transports et environnement (ATE). Thanks to its TwinAir 2-cylinder turbo-charged engine, the starting power of 62 kW/85 hp is maintained during 100 km with a consumption of 2.9 kg of natural gas/biogas.


Family vans and limousines with Opel and Mercedes

In premiere for Switzerland, Opel presents on the gazmobile booth, the new Opel Zafira Tourer 1.6 CNG Turbo ecoFLEX (110 kW/150 hp) offering a considerable autonomy range of 530 km running on natural gas/biogas, plus the additional petrol tank autonomy. The CO2 emissions for this new version of the Zafira Tourer stand at 116 g/km based on 90/10 mix (103 g/km on 80/20 mix). In the high middle range, gazmobile offers the Mercedes Benz E200 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY (120 kW/163 hp) featuring extra injectors and an electronic pressure regulator. This limousine’s CO2 emissions are 140 g/km based on 90/10 mix (125 g/km on 80/20mix).


Biogas race car

The VW Scirocco R-Cup to be shown at the Motor Show, with a turbo-charged 2 litre 4-cylinder engine, combines power with respect to the environment. Fully powered by biogas its CO2 emissions are reduced by 80%. Its “push to pass” system increases engine power output by 50 hp in 10 seconds, from 225 hp (165 kW) to 275 hp (202 kW). The Scirocco R-Cup is a symbol of Volkswagen’s commitment to an ecological motor sport while demonstrating the performance of natural gas/biogas engine technology.
More than 10,000 natural gas/biogas vehicles are on the road in Switzerland, and they number
13.5 million worldwide. Also equipped with a petrol tank, these hybrid natural gas/biogas vehicles have guaranteed autonomy under all circumstances. From the small city car to the luxury limousine, through the saloon and the family van, automakers now offer more and more factory models. During the 82nd International Motor Show a selection from this wide assortment of vehicles from the most important automakers will be presented to the public.

Further information:www.vehiculeagaz.ch