GRIP CEE 2017 / Main Report

5.2.1 UTILISATION OF NGVs

The survey results indicate that around 195,000 NGVs were registered in the CEE region. The growth of NGVs in the CEE region is illustrated by the graph below   3) .

Number of NGVs (thousands)

Growth rate (%)

250

20

200

15

150

10

200

5

50

0

0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Number of NGVs

Growth rate

Figure 5.1: Number of registered NGVs in the CEE region in 2006 – 2015

The rising trend of NGVs is projected to continue with an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. As per the survey, the NGV leader was Germany with over 97,000 regis- tered vehicles. Following not so far behind Germany was Bulgaria with around 65,000 registered vehicles (see Figure 5.2). Although other countries do not contrib- ute to such a great extent, it is important to approach each country individually. For example, in the Czech Republic there was an annual stepwise growth of 40% in NGVs over the last ten years. Such rapid growth could indicate more intense prospective utilisation in the future. An important impulse for the Czech market in recent years was the introduction of the Škoda Octavia CNG model in 2014. This development is influenced by the legislative framework applied in the respec- tive markets. To the TSOs’ knowledge, no concerted action has so far been started to boost NGV registrations in the CEE region by an exchange of experience between the gas industry and the car manufacturers. The TSOs regard this as a challenge for the future. However, as they are under a regulated regime, the TSOs have not yet been able to foster this development.

6.6

8.3

Austria Bulgaria Czech Republic

5.2

65.0

No. of NGVs in thousands

Germany Hungary Others (HR, PL, RO, SK, SI)

97.0

12.0

Figure 5.2: Number of registered NGVs in countries of the CEE region in 2015

LNG fuel vehicles, when compared to CNG, are still undergoing their pioneering stage in Europe, especially in the CEE region. Up to 2015, there were only around 1,500 LNG heavy-duty trucks in Europe. Therefore, there are only a few, if any, operating in Central and Eastern Europe.

 3) For the purpose of this illustration, any missing values were extrapolated from existing data using linear regression analysis.

Central Eastern Europe GRIP 2017 |

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