Green Mobility

Sector overview

Green mobility is a very attractive and rapidly developing sector in the Czech Republic and worldwide. Whether this involves electric vehicles, hybrids, CNG, LPG, biofuels or hydrogen fuel cells, vehicle manufacturers and providers of charging infrastructure and alternative fuels are experiencing growth. CzechInvest is contributing to the development of this sector in the Czech Republic by providing information support and financial aid within available programmes, as well as through the public and privates spheres.

CNG

Compressed natural gas (CNG) has become a fully-fledged and accessible alternative to oil-based fuels and is currently the most promising alternative motor fuel in environmental, economic and safety terms. Furthermore, it is a technically well-developed solution that is easy and quick to implement in practice. In transport, compressed natural gas has huge potential, which should be exploited to the full in an effort to achieve savings of liquid fuels and a significant reduction in harmful emissions. The programme for CNG use in transport is a major project, which is being carried out in the Czech Republic in line with the EU’s strategy. Under COM (2001) 370 (EU’s white paper on transport policy), the target is to achieve an at least 10% share of natural gas in overall consumption of transport fuels by 2020.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

LPG, also known as autogas or auto propane, has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. Introduced in the 1940s, the use of LPG has been rising significantly since the 1990s and plays a key role in the Czech alternative fuels market. Of the Czech Republic’s 6,500 fuel stations, 850 offer LPG refuelling and related services. There are roughly 150,000 to 200,000 motor vehicles (especially passenger cars) in the Czech Republic that use this economical and environmentally friendly fuel and that number is rising every year. While the use of CNG is backed by the Czech Gas Association, a member of NGVA Europe, LPG is supported by the Czech LPG Association and by the LPG Club. Various carmakers, such as Fiat, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Škoda Auto, VW and others, have recently announced their intention to produce LPG or CNG models, thus acknowledging the importance of the gas segment.

Charging-infrastructure Suppliers

With the preparation of investments in the Czech infrastructure by ČEZ, E.ON, PRE and RWE, the structure of charging stands and stations is also taking shape. Suppliers are beginning to specialise for various customers. Charging stations are being offered to filling-station networks, thus allowing full integration with filling stations’ existing payment and information systems provided by the company PhGIA. For many filling stations, the main source of income is no longer fuel sales, but rather sales of goods and restaurant services. Therefore, it is advantageous to sell cheap electricity, thus enticing the customer to spend more time and money at the station. Customers on the road are willing to pay significantly more per kWh than via their own connection. Shopping centres, restaurants, museums and parking lots are being offered universal stations which either provide charging free (at paid parking lots or supermarkets) or accept coins, cards or contactless RFID/MIFARE chip cards which energy companies will issue to electric-vehicle users. Various companies including Rittal, Elnico, Molaris, Micos, Proautoma, TILI and Ensto are offering such stations in the Czech Republic.

Total number of road vehicles with alternative drives in the Czech Republic

_{Note: Data include conversions
Source: Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, Central Vehicle Registry, 2013}

Partnership with ČEZ

In 2012 CzechInvest concluded a memorandum on cooperation with the ČEZ group, which besides holding the leading position in the energy sector is also a pioneer in using smart grids and electric vehicles in the everyday life of the Czech public. Innovative approaches to using energy are covered by the FUTUR/E/MOTION project.  ČEZ’s strategy is to take a responsible and trustworthy approach to society and the locations where it operates. Emphasis is placed on investments in the development of technical education and the use of renewable sources of energy. Thanks to this, ČEZ is among the leaders in the energy sector of central and southeast Europe.

Contact:

Should you be interested in more information please do not hesitate to contact us at automotive@czechinvest.org

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