The Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) follows competitive throughout the country. Among the 16 states that comprise the study of the Brazilian Association of piped gas distribution companies (Abegás), held in the second half of August, 14 registered, for those using the NGV, a saving equal to or greater than 50% compared to ethanol.

The highest degree of NGV economy, compared to ethanol, was registered in Rio de Janeiro with 62%. Three other states where NGV is extremely competitive compared to ethanol are Espirito Santo, Pernambuco and Santa Catarina - the last three with 60%. Following is Alagoas (58%), Sergipe (57%), Paraíba (56%), Rio Grande do Norte (55%), Rio Grande do Sul (55%), Ceará (54%), Bahia (53) Minas Gerais (51%), Mato Grosso do Sul (50%) and São Paulo (50%).

The methodology of Abegás, which conducts the study since October 2015, calculates the ratio of the cost per kilometer from the average consumption of each fuel based on average prices recorded by the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP).

Compared to gasoline, NGV in six states have competitiveness in the region of 50%. It is higher in Rio de Janeiro, with 58% savings. In Pernambuco, the advantage is 54% and São Paulo, 53%. Following is the Espírito Santo (52%), Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais (51%).

In all states analyzed, NGV showed at least 39% more economical than other liquid fuels. This rate was recorded in Paraná, in the comparison of NGV with two liquid fuels.

"NGV is still a very competitive alternative, not only for taxis and fleets, but also for private drivers that run with more intensity. Therefore, it is essential to encourage natural gas in the country, allowing more people to benefit from this economic and environmental gains that NGV provides in reducing pollutants compared to liquid fuels”, said Augusto Salomon, CEO of Abegás.

Study Methodology

To calculate the NGV economy percentages for each fuel, the study of Abegás uses data published by the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP). The survey took into account the average price calculated by the ANP at gas stations in every state in the third week of August this year.

As a reference to estimate the performance with each fuel, Abegás uses the Fiat Siena, vehicle that brings in its factory manual the average consumption with the three fuels. With a cubic meter of NGV can go on average 13.2 km while with one liter of gasoline the car runs 10.7 km and with one liter of ethanol, only 7.5 km.

The estimated monthly savings is measured based on vehicles that run 2500 kilometers per month, using NGV instead of gasoline and ethanol.