GRIP CEE 2017 / Main Report

5.5 Economic Aspects

The operation of NGVs in a fleet is determined by the running costs for fuel and investment costs. Although the respective national conditions for CNG based on taxes, excise duties, subsidies, etc. vary in the CEE region, in general, the costs show a breakeven point when reaching a mileage of 20,000 to 40,000km for passenger cars and 60,000 to 80,000km for heavy-duty vehicles. After that point, the higher investment costs for NGVs are compensated by the cheaper fuel price.

While average diesel prices in the CEE region were above 1.2EUR/litre over the last five years, the prices of CNG remained steadily low at around 1EUR/0.95kg (which is equivalent to 1 litre of diesel) – see Figure 5.14  4) .

Price [EUR/(litre/0.95kg)]

1.6

1.2

0.8

0.4

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

CNG

Diesel

Figure 5.14: Average price of diesel fuel and CNG in the CEE region

 4) For the purpose of price comparison, the following consumption equivalent ratio was implemented: The equivalent amount to 1 liter of diesel is 0.95 kg of CNG. This ratio was determined from a comparison of the fuel consumptions of several car models with a CNG powertrain and a diesel powertrain with the same power output. A comparison of fuels based on their energy content is not possible due to the different efficiencies of CNG and diesel powertrains.

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Central Eastern Europe GRIP 2017