ROME – A petition addressed to the Government to ask for support measures in favor of the natural gas sector for transport. This is the latest initiative by Assogasmetano and Federmetano since since last October the incessant increases in the cost of natural gas have been putting a strain on the methane sector destined for mobility. During these months the sector associations have constantly solicited the Government’s attention on the price crisis but, despite the intense talks between the parties, no measures have yet been passed.
For their part, Assogasmetano and Federmetano are asking for a reduction in VAT from 22% to 5% also for methane for transport (as already done for other uses of civil and industrial gas), and a tax credit to transport companies that use natural gas vehicles. According to the associations, the continuous rise in prices is negatively affecting a sector that has over one million natural gas vehicles circulating in Italy, of which over 2,000 trucks are CNG, 3,800 are LNG and 5,000 buses and 1,500 refueling stations ( 110 Lng).
Furthermore, the requests for support from associations also have the objective of safeguarding a supply chain that sees the involvement of over twenty thousand jobs. “For months, motorists and road hauliers have been brought to their knees, in total indifference on the part of the Government – underline the associations – Not to mention the local public transport companies, already grappling with the difficulties of the pandemic and which, at the center of a challenging fleet renewal program, have chosen methane for the new vehicles. In confirmation of the important role that this product plays in the ecological transition phase, it should be emphasized that currently 30% of methane distributed is of renewable origin (biomethane) “.
With the petition promoted through the Change.org platform, Federmetano and Assogasmetano aim to strengthen their action towards the Government by directly involving users to solicit the required measures. It is a further intervention that was necessary to protect both the operators in the sector and all those who have chosen the more environmentally friendly methane mobility. (maurilio rigo)