Brussels, 29 September 2020 – Last Friday, Switzerland passed the total revision of its CO2 act, implementing a Well-to-Wheel approach which allows the calculation of reduced CO2 emissions when using biomethane in road transport.

Overall, Switzerland confirmed the target to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, and revised its CO2 act so that this obligation can be met.

Among other measures and in line with the EU targets, the CO2 targets for new vehicles were further tightened. However, to this scope, Switzerland will consider the “net” CO2 emissions from vehicles that are fuelled with renewable fuels. In detail, emission levels will be calculated according to the share of biomethane in the gas mixture certified by the authorities.

NGVA Europe Secretary General Andrea Gerini commented:

“By combining emissions of fuels and vehicles, Switzerland provides a very pragmatic approach to the calculation of GHG in the mobility sector. For the Swiss, this is nothing new: while they started a few years ago with 10% biomethane in their fuel mix, today they already certified a 20% share.

Thanks to vast options to produce sustainable bioCNG and bioLNG, natural gas vehicles enable carbon neutrality in an affordable way already today, proportionate to the available share of biomethane at the fuel station.

Therefore, we are calling upon the European Commission not to miss the opportunity to integrate the fuel dimension in the incoming revision of the CO₂ emission standards Regulation. With this, we need to further stimulate a wider use of bioCNG and bioLNG that are already bringing a concrete solution to the decarbonization process of our environment.”

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