Climate change and global warming have become top global issues, with the transport sector being the major contributor using fossil fuels. Natural gas is the cleanest option for the transport sector as a fossil fuel. Therefore, clean, affordable and renewable energy becomes a major pathway for the transport sector to reduce GHG emissions and achieve sustainability, Lee Giok Seng, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association (ANGVA), has said.
Participating in the ‘Dialogues on Multi-Fuel Mobility - Focus on Gaseous Fuels,’ organised by the Centre for Auto Policy & Research (CAPR), along with Mobility Outlook, discussing ‘Gaseous Fuels Trends and Applications,’ Seng said, conversions of gasoline and diesel vehicles to natural gas are straight forward. Therefore, they can be deployed quickly to reduce air pollutants and emissions and start saving on fuel costs. Moreover, the infrastructure to supply natural gas already exists; renewable natural gas/biomethane can use these infrastructures without much modifications, he said.
D Balakrishnan, GM, Product Development, Ashok Leyland, said the availability of natural gas itself is a good positive outlook, and the range anxiety of CNG will reduce with more fuelling stations coming in. “We are yet to get in to composite cylinders. If this technology evolves, it will offset the issues with the payload,” he said. However, the issue is fluctuating prices of CNG. If CNG has a stable price, it will attract more customers. India produces 50% of its CNG requirements, and hence the fluctuations in price; it is unpredictable.
The automotive industry is looking forward to some considerations so that it can pass on the benefit to the customers. Like incentives given to EVs, if some support is provided for CNG vehicles, it will certainly lead to more usage by the customers, he added.
Sharing his views, KK Gandhi, Auto & Fuel Expert, E Mobility, Strategic Planning & Convener, Centre for Auto Policy & Research, said CNG has a minimum cost per kilometre. In Delhi, people travelling long distances have switched to CNG. The government has twin objectives - to ensure energy security and zero emissions. Still, CNG does not find a place in energy security as it continues to be imported. However, “till we achieve the goal of 100% EV, CNG is the option available for the automotive industry. Gaseous fuel is the way forward till we move to zero emission vehicles,” he reiterated.
Speaking from transporters’ perspective, K C Gupta Dy CGM (Technical), Delhi Transport Corporation, said one of the major causes of Delhi’s air pollution is diesel vehicles. Though CNG pipeline and public infrastructure are challenges, DTC will operate CNG buses till 2025, when it goes to electric buses. Since CNG is odourless, passengers feel comfortable, he added.
Gandhi opined that achieving 100% EVs is still over two decades away, and “till then we need to have some alternate policies,” he said, adding that bio CNG will find a place in the country’s energy basket.
Giving a perspective on biogas, Seng said that it is abundant in countries like India and can meet about 20% of its energy requirements. Natural gas can be carbon-neutral by resorting to bio-gas. However, biogas is fragmented and very difficult to capture. Therefore, it did not get that much attention like the other gas segments. The role of gas will be there for a long time; still, moving to Hydrogen is better for transportation than EVs, he opined.
Balakrishnan contended that multiple fuel options are being discussed, but a clear strategy and long-term plan are critical. The Indian market is always unique, and any new technology needs some time to get used to in the market. Multiple options need not come immediately, he added.
Agreeing with the points, Seng said, “We all have the same issues globally, but we need a local solution for every country. Transport policy needed to use the energy optimally.”
Gandhi said, “Till we are able to take care of range anxiety, people may not accept CNG over petrol vehicles. Each segment should have its own strategy. Statements made by different ministry in the media confuse the people.”
Hydrogen has enormous advantages over EVs. The government has taken the initiative on Green Hydrogen. The country can efficiently use the existing infrastructure. According to him, the best option is to jump to green electricity and green hydrogen.
Balakrishnan said CNG is at par with diesel in terms of familiarisation of the fuel, and there are no issues with vehicle maintenance. The challenge is its network. The expansion should happen based on the customers’ usage study, and the locations of the stations should be such that it extends the range for the users.
Customers should be made aware of the benefits; government policies must be clear; there should be a return on investments for all the stakeholders, concluded Seng.