Natural gas: Serving enterprises for improvement of competitiveness

Indeed, according to a study recently completed by Navigant Research, it was estimated that by 2022, the number of trucks and buses that will circulate worldwide fueled by natural gas will rise to 3.7 million. A new trend is consolidated on in the automotive market worldwide, which is fully justified considering the immediate amortization of the difference in the initial cost of procuring a vehicle gas vehicle and which in any case isn't particularly great, since it's estimated at around 1000 euro against a conventional gasoline vehicle. Depreciation, which is achieved rapidly using a natural gas vehicle and the financial relief that this entails.

At the same time, there are few companies that in the majority are large multinational companies, which, in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility, aim at showcasing and introducing a particularly environmentally friendly profile, incorporating environmental awareness in corporate culture and in the mentality of employees. Until recently, good corporate practices to protect and care for the environment were observed especially in cities or larger areas that either had severe environmental problems, as cities with high air pollution or ones subjected to very high environmental standards and regulations that were established by government organizations. In recent years however, there has been a shift to environmental practices in an increasing share of the business world. In this shift, the use of natural gas as a motor fuel for commercial fleets has a key role. It's noted that the gas has nothing to do with LPG, which is a by-product of petroleum.

Let's see some examples of companies around the world that recently turned to gas drive:

• In Italy, the Swedish company Scania won a public tender in Milan to provide 100 garbage trucks, which will run on compressed natural gas. The vehicles will be delivered to the company Amsa SpA, which provides road cleaning and waste management both at the center of the big cities of the Italian north and to the neighboring municipalities.

• Moreover, large companies like United Parcel Services Inc or AT & T, a leading name in the field of telecommunications, enhance their fleets with vehicles that use natural gas. Only recently, AT & T bought 1,200 Chevrolet Express vans powered by CNG. Automaker General Motors produces this type of mini trucks and said that this was its largest selling. Waste Management, one of the largest American companies in its department in the U.S., shouldn't be forgotten in this category, as it has a presence in 48 states.

• In addition, Ryder Systems began renting natural gas trucks in the state of California from 2013. The demand was so great that the company decided to expand its program to two other states, Arizona and Missouri.

• Similar moves naturally occurring in Greece. Specifically, DEPA implements the basic infrastructure to open up this market enabling more and more Greeks consumers to refuel their vehicles with natural gas and enjoy the benefits of "green fuel" FISIKON, as the gas motion in the Greek market is promoted.

• In particular, the company has been operating for two years and owns two stations in Anthoisa, where all vehicles are served all day, and one in Ano Liosia, which serves to supply buses and garbage trucks.

Still, in cooperation with Hellenic Petroleum, the company has set up three more natural gas filling stations FISIKON: two in Athens, Kifissia on Kifissias, one in New Philadelphia at the 8th km of the highway and one in Thessaloniki at the Municipality of Pilea on the avenue Farm School. There is also a strategic plan to further develop the network supply.

The benefits of "green fuel" are enjoyed by residents of Athens, but and in the use of public transport: more than 600 buses of Attica are already fueled with natural gas, while since the summer of 2013 the first taxi with natural gas work in the capital. It shouldn't be forgotten that the City of Athens also maintains approximately 100 garbage trucks that run on natural gas.