Since Saturday, Markus Mederer's Aral petrol station at Marburger Straße 229 in Giessen has been filling a blank spot on the map of the natural gas filling station network. The alternative fuel is thus gaining in importance in the region. As part of the campaign day, visitors were able to find out not only about natural gas vehicles, but also about natural gas as a fuel.
Following successful cooperation with the Aral Group and Ruhrgas AG, Stadtwerke Gießen AG (SWG) opened the first natural gas filling station in Gießen. The two SWG board members, Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul, took the opportunity to unveil the natural gas pump together with Axel Weis, Aral's district petrol station manager. "By investing in the natural gas filling station, we are doing pioneering work, so to speak. Our declared aim is to actively promote the market launch of natural gas as a fuel in the region. We are now confidently looking forward to the start of a new business segment. After all, driving with natural gas has a future," said Siekmann. Following the unveiling, Paul demonstrated how quick and easy the refuelling process is.
Aral also sees natural gas as a suitable energy source for making individual mobility more environmentally friendly in the future.
The advantages are obvious
The unrivalled low price and environmental benefits favour natural gas as a fuel. Vehicles optimised for natural gas are characterised by very low pollutant emissions compared to petrol and diesel cars: Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide are reduced by up to 80 per cent. The combustion of natural gas is practically soot and particle-free.
Not only the environment benefits, but also the wallet of the owner of such a vehicle. With natural gas, refuelling costs are halved compared to petrol. Compared to diesel, savings of 30 per cent can still be made. "It's simply a good feeling to be able to cover around 250 kilometres with 10 euros in the tank," Siekmann continues. The supplier's business customer sales department has already been gathering experience of this kind for two years.
The SWG subsidy programme
Stadtwerke offers a subsidy programme for all natural gas vehicles designed by the company and registered in the district of Giessen or the Lahn-Dill district. This includes models from many well-known car manufacturers. Anyone who opts for the SWG subsidy only pays half price for the fuel at the natural gas filling station in Giessen for one year. At the current price of 63.9 cents per kilogramme (Ct/kg), subsidised customers only pay 31.9 Ct/kg. The subsidy programme is valid until 31 March 2005.
In order to secure the benefit for natural gas drivers, SWG requires a copy of the vehicle licence after registration.
Higher purchase costs
Only the purchase costs for a natural gas vehicle are higher than for petrol-powered vehicles. The additional costs for passenger cars are between 1,500 euros and 3,500 euros. For vans, the additional costs are between 3,500 and 5,500 euros.
But the fact that the natural gas fleet is gaining ground is illustrated by the development of natural gas vehicles and filling stations. Whereas at the beginning of the year 2000 there were only just over 100 natural gas vehicles on the road throughout Germany, there are now over 20 thousand vehicles with natural gas in their tanks travelling through Germany. The network of petrol stations is becoming increasingly dense. The nearest natural gas filling station from Giessen is in Alsfeld. There are now over 400 petrol stations in operation where natural gas can be filled up in just a few minutes.
Filling up with natural gas - quick and easy
The refuelling process takes just as long as refuelling with conventional fuels, i.e. around three to five minutes. Instead of a petrol nozzle, the natural gas dispenser is equipped with a filling nozzle. The operator of Giessen's first natural gas pump, Markus Mederer, explained how the fuelling nozzle is easily attached to the gas tank on the vehicle and securely connected by turning the handle. The refuelling process is started at the push of a button.
Once the tank is full, the process ends automatically. To make refuelling easy for its customers, Mederer has operating instructions on site and is also personally available to provide its natural gas customers with help and advice.
Full service when it comes to natural gas fuel
Filling up with natural gas in Giessen is possible around the clock.
In addition to the future-oriented fuel, the Mederer petrol station team offers a comprehensive service. Because the days when petrol stations were just for filling up are long gone. Car care and a shop are included at the Aral Centre Mederer.