Under the terms of the MoU, the three companies will actively cooperate to boost the further development of methane for vehicle usage in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Together, FCA and IVECO intend to further develop their ranges of natural gas vehicles.

• FCA is pursuing the development of alternative fuel motors as a key pillar in its strategy and has a leading position in the field of CNG technologies. FCA has recently significantly developed its range, which is now composed of 12 models, making it one of most complete in the automotive sector.

• IVECO has achieved a technological advantage in natural gas engines by having developed a complete range of both CNG and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) vehicles, from the light commercial vehicle, Daily, to the urban bus, Urbanway, and the new Stralis LNG for long-haul transport, launched last June. These initiatives highlight the potential of methane as a fuel for commercial vehicles, public transport vehicles and public service vehicles, in which the brand also plays a leading role at an international level.

Snam, as a European leader in the construction and management of infrastructure for the natural gas market, will provide its consolidated experience in the sector by investing approximately €200 million (US$224 million) over the next five years to foster the development of facilities for the supply of CNG. This will help expanding the number of methane service stations, currently at around 1,100, improving customer service quality and ensuring a more balanced distribution of filling stations throughout Italy, to support the evolution of an increasing fleet of light and heavy vehicles in circulation.

The doubling of the current number of CNG service stations to more than 2,000 over the next 10 years in line with the DAFI (Directive Alternative Fuel Initiative) currently in implementation will be the main factor to help achieve the growth target for the CNG fleet of more than 3 million vehicles.

This will result in a direct benefit of €1.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) for Italian-produced natural gas technology and more than €1 billion (US$1.1 billion) in overall infrastructure investments for the development of methane filling stations, with significant benefits also to employment. Consumers will also enjoy overall savings estimated at up to €800 million (US$897 million) in five years’ time, based on the historically low oil price over the past few months.

Methane fuelling for cars, trucks and buses provides a relevant reduction of polluting emissions estimated at 40% of CO₂ and more than 90% of NO_x compared with traditional fuels, with a near total reduction of PM.

As of today, the natural gas road transport sector already has an annual turnover of €1.7 billion (US$1.9 billion) and employs 20,000 people.