Record growth in gas car numbers – 10,000 registered vehicles mark broken in Finland

Finland’s National Energy and Climate Strategy sets the goal of having 50,000 gas-fueled vehicles in domestic transport by 2030. The current popularity of gas cars is, however, indicating that the goal will be exceeded ahead of schedule. Only some years ago there were less than 2,000 gas vehicles on Finland’s roads. Now in 2019 alone almost 4,000 new gas vehicles have been registered in Finland. 

”Together with our partners, we’ve been taking determined steps to build cleaner transport in Finland. Expanding the gas filling station network and increasing awareness have played an important role in this. We’re heading in the right direction now, and making the right political decisions is also vital for the climate targets to be reached. For example, various incentives for choosing a more environmentally friendly vehicle can help accelerate the transition to cleaner transport,” says Gasum CEO Johanna Lamminen.

Gasum is investing strongly in the expansion of the Nordic gas infrastructure. The company has opened several new filling stations for cars as well as heavy-duty vehicles in Finland and Sweden during 2019. The Gasum filling station network in Finland currently comprises 33 stations, with the southernmost ones located in Helsinki and the northernmost ones in Oulu. Overall there is a network of around 50 gas filling stations in Finland.

Growth in demand has also been boosted by the developing range of gas cars available and the fact that Finland’s favorite car makes, such as Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen, feature gas-fueled models. Gasoline-fueled cars can also be retrofitted with a gas system, and used gas cars are imported from countries such as Sweden that have a large fleet of gas cars. 

Gas cars – cost-effective option when seeking emission reductions

In terms of overall costs, gas cars are the most economical option in the market thanks to their reasonable purchase price, good resale value and low gas fuel costs.  

”The rapidly increased need to cut mobility emissions makes driving on gas an unmatched solution for private as well as company car users. The 10,000 gas cars currently on Finnish roads are already creating an emission reduction of  more than 7,000 tonnes* – equal to more than 14,000 car journeys from Finland’s southernmost to northernmost tip and back,” says Jukka Metsälä, Vice President, Traffic, Gasum.

Greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of natural gas are around 25% lower than those of gasoline, while using 100% renewable biogas can reduce emissions by up to 85% compared with conventional fuels. Biogas is produced in Finland by several Gasum biogas plants from feedstocks including household biowaste, food waste from grocery stores and sewage sludge. Biogas is produced in accordance with the principles of circular economy as nutrients contained in biowaste and side streams can be recycled for a variety of uses through recycled fertilizer products.

”The growing popularity of gas as a vehicle fuel shows that the role played by gas in action towards climate targets has been recognized in Finland, too. The rate of use of low-emission fuels and propulsion solutions should, however, be accelerated further. Reducing transport emissions is our common goal that needs the contribution of us all – private car users and professional drivers alike. Smart choices made today will have far-reaching impacts into the future,” Metsälä points out.
 

*Source: Traficom, 4.12.2019.

*The emission reduction generated by 10,000 gas cars is 6,930,000 kg/CO2. Calculated on the assumption that, of the 10,000 vehicles, 50% drive on natural gas and 50% on biogas. Compared with 10,000 vehicles of which 50% are fueled by diesel and 50% by gasoline. An annual total of 18,000 km driven by the vehicles.