Declaration of Intent 14th September 2011
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels
Declaration of intent to accelerate adoption of natural gas and biomethane in road transport. Contents. Summary.... 4 Preamble.... 7 Part I. Attractive offering of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and buses as well as increased sales efforts.... 10 Part II. Consumer-friendly filling station network and increased marketing efforts towards natural gas and biomethane as fuels.... 13 Part III. Recommendations for the political framework.... 16 Part IV. Monitoring the implementation of intended measures....19 Appendix. Intended measures and recommendations at a glance.... 20
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Summary. Tenfold growth potential. The Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels supports the German government s goal of encouraging greater use of natural gas vehicles. Currently with a share of 0.3 % of the fuel mix these alternatives have the potential to reach 4 % by 2020 in Germany representing a greater than tenfold increase. With natural gas (CNG) and biomethane as fuels further improvements in terms of climate protection, energy efficiency and security of supply as well as reduction of noise emission may be achieved. CNG and biomethane produce noticeably lower levels of CO 2 emissions compared to diesel or petrol for example. By 2020, the use of natural gas as a fuel is set to avoid approx. one million tons of CO 2 emissions each year. By also admixing 20 % processed biogas (biomethane or bio-natural gas) the climate impact of transport could be improved by up to two million tons. In this scenario the number of natural gas vehicles on the German market will have increased from currently 90.000 to about 1.4 million vehicles by 2020. Relevant stakeholders. The members of the Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels are consumer organizations and well-known energy and transport sector companies along the entire value chain: Vehicle manufacturers: Daimler, Iveco Magirus, Opel, Volkswagen Group, VDIK Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Fiat (from May 2012) Filling stations: BP / Aral, Shell, UNITI German Federal Association of Medium- Sized Oil Companies Gas utilities and biogas producers: erdgas mobil, Verbio, Wingas Gas engineering: figawa German Federal Gas and Water Industry Association Vehicle customers: ADAC Germany s largest automobile consumer association The initiative is operating under the patronage of Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) and coordinated by the Deutsche Energie- Agentur GmbH (dena) the German Energy Agency. 4
Specific measures. In order to increase the number of natural gas vehicles the initiative s members define appropriate measures. The use of natural gas and biomethane as fuels is technologically mature. What matters now is establishing these alternatives in the market, i.e. improve willingness to supply and demand. The most important activities include expanding the range of available natural gas vehicles as well as the natural gas filling station network. Additionally it is important to increase the admixture of biomethane while a supportive political framework ensures security when planning the necessary investment. Enlarge range of available natural gas vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers plan on considerably increasing their range of natural gas vehicles: Volkswagen Group will extend its range of natural gas vehicles to additional brands like Audi, Seat and Skoda and other segments (a natural gas version of the up! by 2012 and of the Audi A3 by 2013). Mercedes-Benz intends to introduce a new natural gas motor in the new B-Class as well as the previously announced E-Class. VDIK has announced that its member Fiat will launch the new Panda version with natural gas propulsion. The manufacturers of commercial vehicles Iveco and Mercedes as well as the VDIK members Renault-Trucks and Scania are also extending their range of industry specific production series with natural gas propulsion. Additionally the initiators will increase communication levels on the existing broad range of natural gas vehicles accelerate the use of natural gas commercial vehicles including in public transportation sector and municipal services Expansion of natural gas filling station network. The number of natural gas filling stations is to be increased from currently about 900 to 1.300 sites, i.e. to about 10 % of the current number of filling stations in Germany. Here, the participants intend to install natural gas pumps particularly at frequented filling stations further improve fuel-card systems for vehicle fleets where necessary develop and implement uniform labeling for natural gas/cng and biomethane 5
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Increase admixture of biomethane. By 2015 the initiative s members plan to increase the proportion of biomethane in natural gas as a fuel to at least 20 % in Germany. This includes the following measures: advance the sustainable production of biomethane from residues and waste materials in order to avoid competition with food production promote the sustainable production of synthetic methane from wind power broad-based communicate the advantages of biomethane uniformly label the actual admixture of biomethane at filling stations Development of a supportive political framework. The market development of natural gas and biomethane needs political support. The initiators suggest continuing the tax relief on natural gas as fuel beyond 2018 up to 2025 creating a concept for transparent price display for natural gas as fuel (ideally in litre-equivalent) creating an effective incentivisation scheme for the introduction of natural gas vehicles for road freight transport and commercial vehicles evaluating the energy consumption and environmental impact of new vehicles in public procurement procedures and considering these results in deciding the winning bid encouraging further development of the network of natural gas filling stations reducing network charges for natural gas filling stations including natural gas vehicles when creating bonuses for non-technology-specific alternative motors establishing natural gas and biomethane as alternatives in the transport sector throughout Europe. The present declaration of intent to accelerate adoption of natural gas and biomethane in transport applications was signed by the partners of the initiative at the 64 th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main on September 14 th, 2011 and was presented to the German government during a press conference. 6
Preamble. Natural gas vehicles offer significant potentials: The establishment of compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane for the transport sector can partially mitigate CO 2 and noise emissions of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. To seize these opportunities customer organizations and renowned companies have launched the Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels: Daimler AG, Iveco Magirus AG, Adam Opel AG, Volkswagen Group, VDIK Association of International Vehicle Manufacturers e.v., BP Europa SE, Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH, UNITI German Federal Association of Medium-Sized Oil Companies, erdgas mobil GmbH, Wingas GmbH & Co. KG, Verbio Vereinigte BioEnergie AG, figawa German Federal Gas and Water Industry Association as well as Germany s largest automobile consumer association ADAC e. V. The initiative operates under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development and is coordinated by the dena. With the present declaration of intent the initiators aim at developing the potentials of these fuels through specific measures up to 2020 and beyond. The initiative assumes that increasing the number of natural gas vehicles to 1.4 million could avoid emissions of up to two million tons of CO 2 per year. Even after 2020 the natural gas network would continue to provide the transport sector with efficient CO 2 fuels; in the long-term even nearly carbon-free due to the use of biomethane generated from biomass or wind power. Furthermore, Germany s natural gas network would offer considerable storage potential for renewable energies. Background. The transport sector is faced with enormous challenges in regard to energy consumption and climate change. It is necessary to satisfy the individual need for mobility as well as to ensure a competitive transport sector for the business location Germany. At the same time transport has to contribute to the Energiewende and mitigate climate change by reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The German government has set a cross-sectoral objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 % by 2020 compared to 1990. The end energy consumption in the transport sector should by then be reduced by about 10 % and until 2050 by approx. 40 % compared to 2005. Natural gas and biomethane as fuels can make major contributions towards these objectives. Compared to conventional fuels these alternatives have important advantages: Their combustion causes significantly less CO 2 emissions and noise. At the same time they contribute to the diversification of the fuel base. Natural gas vehicles represent a mature technology. After achieving the critical market threshold necessary for significant economies of scale this technology can also become economically competitive, especially regarding greenhouse gas mitigation costs. Here, the use of the existing energy infrastructure and established automotive engineering know how is a valuable basis. The cumulative investments in natural gas vehicles made so far amount to at least 1.7 billion Euros. The value of the already installed infrastructure adds a further 300 million Euros. 7
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Natural gas and biomethane have still not realised their full potential. As a consequence the German government determi ned in its 2010 energy concept to support natural gas vehicles and biomethane propulsion. Initiative of the most important participants of the value chain. Consequently, leading companies and organizations launched a cross-sectoral initiative (cf. ill.) where relevant participants of the value chain of natural gas mobility come together: from (renewable) production of fuels to fuel distribution; from vehicle manufacturing to distribution to the end-consumer. Patronage As a result this declaration of intent for the first time represents a cross-sectoral consensus on the necessary measures for successful market penetration. It was officially presented to the German government. 8
The initiative s aims. The German federal government s fuel strategy from 2004 sees a potential for natural gas and biomethane to account for 4 % of the German fuel mix by 2020. This potential translates to around 1.4 million natural gas vehicles compared to currently approx. 90,000. The European Commission also considers these alternatives to be part of the future fuel mix. According to a joint study from JRC, EUCAR and CONCAWE natural gas and biomethane will reach a market share of 1.5 % of the European fuel mix by 2020. In 2011 natural gas and biomethane accounted for only 0.3% of the German fuel mix or two billion kwh. In order to significantly increase this proportion economic operators and politicians have to agree on joint efforts. Developments in Italy demonstrate that such rapid market development for natural gas vehicles is possible. In the five years since 2005 the number of natural gas vehicles has nearly doubled from 382.000 to 730.000. With 1.4 million natural gas vehicles emissions of about one million tons CO 2 can be mitigated. Admixing 20 % biomethane could increase this potential to up to two million tons of CO 2 emissions. The initiative s aim is to exploit this potential to the best extent possible. Central fields of activity are expanding range of vehicles (cf. Part I), improving filling station network (cf. Part II), an appropriate political framework at national and European level (cf. Part III) as well as continual monitoring of the implementation of measures (cf. Part IV). 9
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Part I: Attractive offering of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and buses and increased sales efforts. Extend model range of natural gas vehicles Expanding the range of natural gas vehicles. The aim is to considerably expand the range of attractive natural gas vehicles. Especially for passenger cars and further segments of commercial vehicles the vehicle manufacturers plan to enlarge the natural gas vehicle offer in future. As a consequence the Volkswagen Group will extend its range of natural gas vehicles to additional brands like Audi, Seat, Skoda and other segments. Starting mid 2012 Volks wagen will offer in addition to Passat, Touran and Caddy also the small car up! with natural gas propulsion. Starting at the end of 2013 a compact car with natural gas propulsion will also be available for the first time, for example the Audi A3. Mercedes Benz already offers its E-Class with natural gas propulsion; the same will apply for the new B-Class. VDIK announce the world premiere of the new Fiat Panda in 2012 equipped with turbocharged natural gas propulsion. The announced vehicles achieve at least class A of the German regulations on consumer information on fuel economy and CO 2 emissions for new passenger cars which apply since December 1st, 2011. Use potentials of natural gas for truck transport The manufacturers of commercial vehicles Iveco and Mercedes as well as the VDIK member companies Renault-Trucks and Scania extend their range of specific product series with natural gas propulsion. The initiators also recommend investigating the medium- and long-term potential of natural gas and biomethane use in heavy-duty truck transport. For this purpose it is planned to test the application of biomethane in a dieselmethane dual-fuel operation for a fleet of 30 to 50 heavy-duty trucks. Encourage trade and sales organisations Intensify sales efforts towards fleet customers Increased sales efforts. The vehicle manufacturers in this initiative intend to separately encourage sales of natural gas vehicles through incentives for their respective sales and trade organisations. Thus, the number and distribution of available demonstration cars in the sales regions should be increased. For fleets, vehicle manufacturers plan, independently of one another, to intensify sales efforts in cooperation with the natural gas industry. They intend to focus on fleet owners who follow a sustainable business strategy. Thus, natural gas filling stations may even be constructed to the requirements of the respective fleet owners if necessary. 10
Increased communication. The initiators plan to fill the information gap that exists for vehicle consumers with regard to natural gas and biomethane. To this end the broad range of available passenger cars and commercial vehicles will be communicated more intensively to the broad public. In particular fairs and events provide good opportunities to present the whole range of vehicles of all manufacturers. Present broad range of natural gas vehicles This requires that the natural gas industry and vehicle manufacturers come to a joint agreement. Better exchange of information between drivers and manufacturers / merchants e.g. in showrooms is also planned. Furthermore, comprehensive information about alternative fuel vehicles should be provided during the purchase advice process. It is planned to implement a uniform trademark with wordmark and logo to increase the visibility and the recognition of natural gas and biomethane. This trademark is to be used at filling stations (cf. Part II) as well as by vehicle manufacturers for a consequent (co-)branding in communication and advertising wherever possible. Emphasis will be laid on convincing political representatives (federal government, state governments and local authorities), business and customer associations as well as nongovernmental organisations of the broad application possibilities and advantages of natural gas and biomethane in the transport sector. Consequently, this would allow faster take up of highly energy-efficient vehicles can be accelerated in their fleets. Projects in public fleets can serve as role-models, for example the use of biomethane in natural gas vehicles for the fleet of the German Bundestag. Develop recognisable branding of natural gas vehicles and use for communication Convince opinion leaders and multipliers Greater use of natural gas vehicles in the fleets of the natural gas and biomethane industry. To contribute to quickly achieving the critical market threshold for natural gas vehicles and an appropriate economic utilization of natural gas filling stations representatives of the natural gas and biomethane industry intend to considerably increase the number of natural gas vehicles in their fleets and those of companies represented by them by 2015. For that they plan to adapt their corporate fleet purchase regulations to favour natural gas vehicles. Increase proportion of natural gas vehicles in own fleets 11
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Update data and facts concerning life-cycle costs and funding possibilities of natural gas buses Carry out information event concerning the use of natural gas buses Highlight opportunities of natural gas commercial vehicles on municipal level Accelerate the use of natural gas vehicles in municipal transport. Public transport companies already use buses with natural gas propulsion today, however, this usage is stagnating. Representatives of the natural gas industry and bus manufacturers will collectively review and if necessary update the existing information material of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) with regard to recent improvements in engine efficiency and the possibility of admixing biomethane. Thereby the advantages of biomethane as part of a modern municipal recycling economy in cooperation with public utility companies are elaborated from municipal waste-based production to use in public buses. During an event organised by the initiators the advantages of buses fuelled with natural gas and biomethane based on the new insights will be illustrated to authorities and representatives of transport services. Furthermore, the participating commercial vehicle manufacturers will increase efforts to illustrate the advantages for local authorities of natural gas/biomethane commercial vehicles on municipal level (f. ex. waste disposal, street cleaning). Within that the opportunities for municipalities as regards the Directive on the Promotion of Clean and Energy Efficient Road Transport Vehicles (EG/2009/33) (cf. Part III) will be underlined. 12
Part II: Customer-friendly filling station network and increased marketing efforts towards natural gas and biomethane as a fuel. Customer-orientated expansion of natural gas filling station network. The signatories agree on the fact that within the last 15 years a sufficient coverage of natural gas filling stations was achieved and even a good coverage in some regions. In order to reasonably extend the existing network of nearly 900 natural gas filling stations the initiators have updated the Germany-wide network planning of natural gas filling stations. This network planning should serve as a guideline for the future expansion of the natural gas filling station network. Expansion will be focussed on public filling stations in built-up areas and on highways. Extend public natural gas filling stations based on a Germany-wide network planning With the assistance of the petroleum industry new natural gas pumps should be built specifically at highly frequented filling stations. The priority sites identified in the network planning will have a feasibility check carried out by representatives of the petroleum industry. As a result it should be possible to increase the number of natural gas fillings stations to at least 1.300 or 10 % of the filling station network. Further development of highly frequented filling station sites with new natural gas pumps The gas industry will continue to make a significant contribution to the expansion of the natural gas filling station network. For this purpose a separate association will be founded in order to accelerate further expansion of the filling station network. Investors include among others renowned energy companies as well as the erdgas mobil GmbH. The association will arrange for new construction and operation of natural gas pumps and will implement professional and customer-friendly operational concepts for existing facilities. The participants agree on the fact that an acceptability of card systems for natural gas today is important especially for the fleet business and for future merchandising of biomethane. The number of usable natural gas filling stations for fleet customers with a card contract can thus be multiplied without building further filling stations. For this purpose customer-friendly solutions should be developed. In order to reduce costs and complexity the existing transaction and accounting system between mostly local acting gas supply companies and supraregional operators of filling stations should be simplified. To this end, representatives of the gas industry and petroleum industry will develop a standardised solution. Coordinating new building and running of CNG-filling stations Provide for greater acceptability of fleet cards Simplify natural gas sales accounting for filling stations 13
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Promote recognisability of natural gas/cng and biomethane Develop concept for uniform (co-) branding and consequently communicate it Intensify marketing efforts for natural gas. The initiators intend to improve the visibility of natural gas and biomethane as a transport fuel for potential users. By this means the recognition of natural gas/cng and biomethane as a fuel shall be increased throughout the whole process chain from vehicle manufacturers to natural gas/biomethane producers to filling stations. It is planned to standardise the various designations for these fuels if possible and to ensure the implementation of a common trademark including text and logo. Thus, the initiators will collectively develop a concept that covers the demands of the members corresponding company or sector CI-/CD- requirements. Accordingly the initiators intend to implement and communicate this trademark according to their capabilities. The natural gas industry can offer their existing brand ERDGAS. In the process of modernisation and new construction of filling stations the designated name will change from Erdgas to Erdgas/CNG. Analyse and optimise CNG signage on German federal motorways The visibility of natural gas and biomethane on German federal motorways should also be improved in terms of better sign-posting. The continual use of the international road sign CNG directly on the highway should also be used to promote this fuel alternative prominently. Regular monitoring should ensure that all existing natural gas filling stations and those entitled for sign-posting on the motorway are actually signposted to the extent permitted by law. Upgrading natural gas with sustainably produced biomethane. In order to comprehensively exploit the value of this technology in avoiding greenhouse gas emissions the amount of biomethane admixed to natural gas shall be increased. Admixing biomethane is possible in any mixed rate. Dependent upon the used biomass admixing biomethane can reduce CO 2 emissions by 85 %. 14
Bearing this in mind and under the assumption of a supportive political framework the initiators aim at bringing about a corresponding commitment within the entire natural gas sector. This commitment foresees that from 2015 all natural gas used as fuel in Germany contains on balance at least 20 % of sustainably produced biomethane. In order to avoid competition with food production and the formation of mono cultures this biomethane should primarily be produced from residues and waste. The commitment to admix biomethane to natural gas as a fuel makes this alternative more attractive. For this reason the initiative plans to appropriately communicate the biomethane content and its added benefit. The identification of the bio methane content should occur through the use of a supplementary label acceptable to all stakeholders. The process of label development will be initiated by the natural gas industry. 20 % admixture of biomethane to natural gas as a fuel in case of supportive political framework Uniform communication of the minimum proportion of biomethane in natural gas as a fuel 15
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Part III: Recommendations for the political framework. Politically support market introduction measures for natural gas and biomethane in transport applications The mutual efforts of businesses and politics can help to achieve the required increase in the number of natural gas vehicles needed to establish a position in the marketplace in just a few years. Successful market launches supported by the Swedish, Italian and Swiss governments provide important examples for best-practice. The existing incentives of the German government, especially tax incentives for natural gas and biomethane, should be maintained and complemented by addtional incentives. The political framework should support the activities of the stakeholders in the market and provide the necessary certainty to allow the required investments to be made. The initiators agree that after having achieved a certain demand level the share of natural gas and biomethane in the transport sector will continue to increase even without government support. Thus, a cost-efficient contribution to the German government s energy and climate policy objectives is possible. Continue energy tax relief up to 2025 Create comparability of fuel price tags Develop public incentives for commercial vehicles with natural gas propulsion Fiscal framework. Under the current tax system the energy tax reduction on natural gas and biomethane as a fuel (expiration end of 2018) should be prolonged until 2025. This could also be designed as a declining tax reduction in order to avoid unnecessary tax losses after having achieved a critical market threshold. The further development of the European Energy Taxation Directive should also be considered. Regulatory framework. The decision to purchase a vehicle is also influenced by the fuel price at the filling station. Due to the designation in different units (litre vs. kilogram) the attractive value for money of natural gas is currently not immediately recognisable. That is why the initiators move for a transparent labelling scheme for natural gas as a fuel (ideally in litreequivalent). They ask the German government to support a fast implementation of the necessary changes in the respective committees and institutions. In the freight traffic and transport sector an efficient incentive system for greater use of commercial vehicles with alternative fuels like natural gas should be developed (e. g. within the framework of the Innovation Programme to support low-emission trucks). 16
The European Union directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (EG/2009/33) for public authorities and private operators of public passenger transport and its implementation into German law can significantly stimulate the market for these vehicles if it is strictly followed. The initiative recommends the consequent implementation of 4 paragraph 9 of the amended public procurement regulation which recommends the financial aspects of the energy consumption and environmental impact of road transport vehicles to be considered during the bidding process. By introducing exemplary public procurement regulations the German government can stimulate the sales of natural gas vehicles within a short period of time as well as reduce the operating costs of its own fleets. As a result this would set new standards for sustainable vehicle procurement in the federal States and local authorities. Further development of public procurement towards tendering practices with details about energy efficiency Incorporate natural gas vehicles in federal fleets Further regulatory incentives favouring alternative fuel vehicles should be reviewed in conjunction with the interests of other road users. These could include prioritisation measures for freight traffic in city centres and pedestrian areas or special queuing lines for taxis. Funding policy framework. The current regulation for gas grid charges leads to higher than average charges for natural gas filling stations. Regional differences can even have a negative impact on the site selection, i.e. towards low network charges instead of customer demand. To avoid this imbalance a simplified network charge of around 0.3 cents per kwh for natural gas filling stations should be introduced. As an incentive for greater use of biomethane efforts should be directed towards a complete omission of network charges for this fuel. The existing incentive programme of the KfW Group for building natural gas filling stations is rarely used. The initiative s partners demand simplification of application procedures and offer to provide support in this process. In order to ensure equal treatment of all alternative fuels politics need to make an equivalent contribution to the development of natural gas filling stations. If public incentives for the purchase of new cars with alternative propulsion are to be implemented in the future, the framework conditions for application should be technology-neutral, i.e. also include natural gas vehicles. Reduce network charges for natural gas filling stations Update the KfW incentive programme for setting up new natural gas filling stations Encourage expansion of the infrastructure of natural gas filling stations by state incentives Create technology-neutral public incentive programmes for vehicles with alternative propulsion 17
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels On a European scale accelerate introduction of natural gas and biomethane as alternatives in transport Consider natural gas vehicles separately in CO 2 legislation Political framework at European level. The signatories of the declaration of intent recommend policymakers in Germany to also act to ensure beneficial circumstances at the European level. An incentive mechanism for alternative fuels such as biomethane should be created during the amendment of the European CO 2 legislation for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles within the scope of the Integrated Approach and as a Complementary Measure. Adjust EU-weight determination and EU-driving licenses for commercial vehicles Establish European-wide standards For commercial vehicles it is necessary to ensure that the increased vehicle weight, which is partially related to the use of engines for alternative fuels, is considered at the European level, particularly as regards binding EU driving license categories and mass definition. A European-wide standardisation of the interfaces of established technologies between filling station and vehicle should be encouraged. 18
Part IV: Monitoring the implementation of intended measures. The participants intend to consequently monitor the implementation of the abovenamed measures. Together they will regularly inform the public about the current level of implementation and the achieved goals. The measures to be implemented will be synchronised with the development of the German government s mobility and fuel strategy. 19
Initiative for natural gas-based mobility CNG and biomethane as fuels Appendix: Intended measures and recommendations. Vehicle manufacturers. Expansion of product range of natural gas vehicles to all major vehicle segments. Intensification of marketing and especially sales efforts for natural gas vehicles. Gas industry. Expansion of the filling station network based on a nationwide network planning. Commitment to admix 20 % biomethane by 2015 where a supportive political framework allows this. Concept development for of simplified systems for the billing of natural gas at filling stations. Increased use of natural gas vehicles in own fleets. Biogas industry. Sustainable production of biomethane from raw materials. Increased use of natural gas vehicles in own fleets. Carrying out a fleet test using biomethane in heavy-duty road transport. Oil industry. Further development of particularly suitable filling station sites for natural gas as fuel. Increase acceptance of fuel cards where necessary. Switch to the term CNG/Erdgas in the course of modernising or building new filling stations. Optimisation of the sign-posting on federal motorways. User organizations. Communication of advantages and reduction of reservations of vehicle users. All. Uniform branding and designations. Consumer information and reducing reservations on natural gas and biomethane. Communication with multipliers and opinion leaders. 20
Fiscal framework. Extension of energy tax reduction on natural gas until 2025. Regulatory framework. Developing a transparent pricing system for natural gas at filling stations. Technology-neutral incentives for trucks with alternative propulsion. Introduction of natural gas vehicles in public fleets. Financial consideration of energy consumption and environmental impact of road vehicles in public procurement procedures. Funding policy framework. Reduction of network charges for natural gas as fuel. Update of KfW incentives for natural gas filling stations. Public support for new construction and expansion of natural gas filling stations. Technology-neutral buying incentives for passenger cars with alternative propulsion. European level. Consideration of additional weight in EU-driving licenses and EU-mass determinations. European-wide alignment of the interfaces between filling station and vehicle. 21