Gaznat emits 68 fewer tonnes of CO₂

Energy provider Gaznat  in the Romandy has been relying on a fleet of over 20 CNG vehicles which run on biogas for years, thus emitting far fewer tonnes of CO₂.

The colourful fleet of Gaznat vehicles saves tonnes of CO₂, kilometre by kilometre. Source: Gaznat

The Swiss energy provider Gaznat, which is based in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, not only talks about CNG mobility, but also uses it. Thanks to more than 20 CNG vehicles and 100% regional biogas, Gaznat was virtually CO₂-neutral in 2021. The fleet of white vehicles includes small, manoeuvrable city cars such as the VW up! or spacious estate cars such as the VW Golf Estate or Skoda Octavia. And Gazant is ideally equipped for use on construction sites and larger transport tasks and can drive up to the site in a climate-friendly way with an Iveco Daily or Fiat Ducato, which are both equipped with a CNG drive and biogas in the tank.

Gilles Verdan, Director, Head of Networks at Gaznat, has now been presented with a certificate by Energiapro Director, Luisa Helms, which proves that the Gaznat fleet not only covered around 480,000 kilometres last year, but also did so in a way which is as climate-friendly as possible thanks to 24,480 kilogrammes of biogas. As a result, the company based in French-speaking Switzerland was able to emit around 68 fewer tonnes of CO₂. To offset the same amount of CO₂ emissions, you would have to plant a small forest of 5,440 trees!

Energiapro director Luisa Helms is visibly pleased to present Gilles Verdan, Gaznat’s network director, with the certificate for the CO₂ savings. Source: Gaznat

Holdigaz subsidiary Energiapro, which specialises in the supply of biogas, also promotes CNG mobility itself. For example, it provides long-term support for driving training and safety in French-speaking Switzerland. To that end, Energiapro is providing three Seat Leon TGIs with which both learner drivers and interested driving instructors can gain initial experience with the climate-friendly CNG drive.

Anyone who refuels at a Swiss CNG filling station currently automatically benefits from a biogas share of 26%. This share can be increased voluntarily by a selection button at the filling station itself or by purchasing appropriate biogas certificates. Energiapro offers such certificates for local biogas produced in Lavigny (Canton of Vaud), Penthaz (Canton of Vaud), Roche (Canton of Vaud) and Collombey-Muraz (Canton of Valais) and fed into the Holdigaz Group’s network. It is obtained from the recycling of green and food waste or sewage sludge and is 100% renewable and therefore CO₂-neutral.

Another positive aspect: By purchasing a CNG vehicle by 31 December 2022, people and companies located in one of the municipalities supplied with natural gas by the Holdigaz Group will benefit. These individuals or companies will receive a fuel voucher worth 1.000 francs, which can be redeemed at a filling station operated by Energiapro and enables the new owner of a CNG vehicle to drive in a climate-neutral way. (pd/jas, 24 November 2022)