Natural gas distributor GasNet has opened its second mobile LNG filling station for trucks in the Czech Republic as an increasing number of transport firms opt for the fuel to slash costs and emissions.
GasNet joined forces with Spain’s HAM on the new filling station, the firm said in a statement on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the station is located near the Czech city of Mlada Boleslav, but it is also close to the main Škoda Auto plant.
According to GasNet, Volkswagen’s Škoda supports the use of LNG in road transport. The carmaker has signed a memorandum of understanding last year with the Czech Gas Association to promote the use of LNG, including among its subcontractors, it said.
Number of LNG-powered trucks on the rise
GasNet opened its first mobile filling station near Prague about a year ago in order to cater to an increasing interest in LNG as fuel for vehicles.
According to the National Clean Mobility Action Plan, the Czech Republic will have about 6,900 LNG-powered trucks and 30 fueling stations by 2030.
“The number of liquefied natural gas-powered trucks in the Czech Republic is growing. We see great potential in LNG and are convinced that it will play a key role in achieving the Czech Republic’s emission targets in freight transport,” Thomas Merker, GasNet chief financial officer, said.
A consortium led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) owns GasNet.
In addition, the two other partners include the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) and Allianz Capital Partners.