The conversion of vehicles to natural gas during 2022, 73,563 units in total, exceeded by more than 350% compared to the figures in 2019, a pre-pandemic year, according to the latest report from the Road Observatory of the Automotive Association of Peru (AAP).
In this regard, Alberto Morisaki, Manager of Economic Studies and Statistics of the AAP, pointed out that one of the reasons why Peruvians opted to convert their vehicles to CNG was the increase in the prices of fossil fuels. “There is no doubt that the increase in inflation in the country, accelerated by the war between Russia and Ukraine, had an impact on the increase in oil prices, which is why many Peruvians opted for a cheaper solution such as CNG,” he explained.
In 2022, he added, Peru reached the record number of 394,048 vehicles converted to CNG in circulation and 346 service stations supplying CNG distributed throughout the country.
“Despite the fact that in Peru a total of 769,290 m3 of natural gas has been sold in 2022, the highest figure in recent years, from the AAP we are convinced that the widespread use of natural gas must be promoted through an articulated strategy that involves the participation of the private sector,” Morisaki highlighted.
He also stressed that “the granting of the conversion bonus that is being promoted by the Social Energy Inclusion Fund (FISE) is an interesting advance, however now it is necessary to enact measures to increase the number of refueling facilities.”
In this regard, he added that the State should focus on enforcing the regulations that are necessary for Peru to migrate, effectively, to a transport energy matrix made up of less polluting fuels, since the country is ranked as 38th in terms of worst air quality in the world and first in Latin America, according to the 2022 Air Quality report, results that have also been included in the AAP Road Observatory report.
The Road Observatory has updated information collected and systematized from various national and international sources such as the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), the National Police of Peru (PNP), INEI, BCRP, The World Economic Forum, World Air Quality Report, OECD, among others.
Source: AAP
