Abu Dhabi A member of the Federal National Council on Tuesday demanded that the government deploy more CNG-powered vehicles in keeping with the UAE’s strategic plan aimed at conserving the environment, using clean energy sources, and measuring up to the international standards and requirements of sustainability.

Around 36 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations have been set up. Between 2016 and 2021, 34 more CNG stations will be built.

Ali Eisa Al Nuaimi, a member from Ajman, said more CNG-powered vehicles should be deployed across the UAE.

Suhail Mohammad Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy, said 50 per cent of natural gas that the UAE imports is used to produce electricity.

In the UAE, CNG stations were first established in 2011 by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). By 2015, the UAE is slated to have 20 Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) filling stations — 16 in Abu Dhabi and four in other emirates — as well as nine vehicle conversion workshops.

Apart from the occasional taxi, CNG filling pumps remain unused most of the time. Although the initial plan was to have most of Abu Dhabi’s official vehicles converted to CNG, only a fraction have done so.

There are close to 8,000 taxis in Abu Dhabi, but only a quarter of them have been fitted with CNG kits. Most drivers are either unaware of the benefits of CNG or are put off by the cost — a CNG conversion kit costs about Dh12,000. Once installed, the driver has the option to use either CNG or petrol at the flip of a switch.

According to Adnoc, CNG makes economic sense, especially for cars covering high mileage such as taxis and couriers. For such vehicles, fuel costs can be reduced by 30 per cent and its owners can recover their initial installation costs within 18 months.

Al Nuaimi said compressed natural gas-powered cars are considered greener as they produce fewer emissions than traditional gasoline-based vehicles.

Natural gas fuel has been around since the 1930s, but it is only in the past decade that it has been considered as a serious alternative to gasoline, partly due to growing concerns of climate change.

Technological advancement and greater engine efficiency has also helped in CNG being recognised as a good alternative.