Number of natural gas fuelling stations will rise 41% by 2025

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are expected to take a leap over the coming years with the total sales of NGVs set to reach more than 35 million from 2015 to 2025, according to a report from Navigant Research.

The study finds that the use of NGVs will spread widely over the next decade due to its stable price and environmental benefits over diesel and gasoline, while compressed natural gas (CNG) will take the lead over liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the main NG transport fuel.

“For NG to reach its full potential as a transport fuel, easy access to refueling stations and a large population of NGVs are required,” says Sam Abuelsamid, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Without a critical mass of vehicles in need of NG fuel, station operators are unwilling to invest in equipment—and without easy access to stations, retail customers won’t commit to purchasing NGVs.”

The need for fuelling infrastructure, together with positive market expectations for NGVs, will see the number of NG fuelling stations increase over the coming years. According to the report, the total number of global NGV fuelling stations is expected to grow from 23,001 in 2015 to 38,890 in 2025.

The report, Natural Gas Refueling Infrastructure, examines the key factors expected to influence the deployment of NGV refueling infrastructure, including economic growth, fuel prices, NGV sales, equipment costs, and regulations.