Natural gas petrol stations: closures and price increase in Bonn!

Natural gas petrol stations: closures and price increase in Bonn!

in the Rhein-Sieg district, a region known for its sustainability efforts, the supply of natural gas for vehicles remains largely secure even in challenging times. The focus is on the existing natural gas filling stations, especially in view of the dwindling number of CNG vehicles (compressed natural gas).

The natural gas petrol station at Potsdamer Platz in Bonn recently had to close what the total number of the available petrol stations in Germany reduced to less than 800. According to KStA.de , however, three petrol stations are active in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis: in Troisdorf, Siegburg and Königswinter. These stations have no closure plans and continue to offer natural gas for vehicle owners who rely on this alternative drive form.

Current developments and prices

The Rhenag petrol station in Siegburg stands out as the cheapest in Germany with a price of 94 cents per kilogram. This gas station benefits from long -term procurement contracts. A third of the Stadtwerke vehicle fleet still uses natural gas. From 2022 to 2024, Rhenag even recorded an increase in sales, also by converting garbage vehicles to natural gas.

In Troisdorf, the current price for natural gas is 1.26 euros per kilogram. The Stadtwerke Troisdorf not only recorded at their petrol station, but also invested in their modernization. At the same time, the petrol stations in Königswinter have a growing interest, with natural gas sales almost doubled in the same period. However, Aral plans to close natural gas filling stations nationwide by June 2024, but the station in Königswinter remains open and is enjoying increasing demand.

The future of CNG vehicles

However, the CNG vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly, are increasingly losing market share. Manufacturers have already stopped producing new cars with CNG drive. According to adac.de there are currently no offered new cars with CNG, which further restricts the used car market. The number of buyers from manufacturers such as VW and Fiat decrease, which clouds the perspectives of the technology.

The switch to alternative drives is unnecessary, however, since CNG vehicles emit less CO₂ and emit less nitrogen oxides than their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts. This is supported by the data from alternative-obil.info , which state that CNG vehicles emit about 20 percent less CO₂ in driving. In addition, these vehicles can be operated with up to 100 percent organic earth gas, which enables a reduction in CO₂ emissions by up to 97 percent compared to petrol engines.

Although natural gas petrol stations continue to play an important role and are firmly anchored in the Rhein-Sieg region, the need to change and the challenges that the market for CNG drives brings. The continuous decline in new registrations and the upcoming tax increases from 2024 raise questions of how the infrastructure for natural gas will develop in the future.