“They’re the perfect everyday vehicles”

As a newcomer to gas-powered vehicles, Eva Kamber was initially very cautious around her Fiat Panda with a CNG engine. Her fear of not having sufficient range and caution about refuelling were unfounded. “Refuelling actually proved to be just as easy as with a petrol engine, and there are plenty of filling stations,” she explains happily.

Eva Kamber is thrilled with her Fiat Panda with CNG drive. Source: Eva Kamber

Eva Kamber from the Canton of Zurich has only been driving a CNG-powered Fiat Panda since early 2021. Back then, out of sheer fear of running out of range, she opted for the Panda with its relatively large, 35-litre petrol tank. “In hindsight, of course, it turned out there was absolutely nothing to fear,” says Kamber, explaining in an interview how to go about everyday life with a CNG car.

What prompted you to opt for a CNG car?
Eva Kamber: I was forced to buy a new car because my old one gave up the ghost. Since I drive a few kilometres a year, I was looking for a more environmentally friendly solution. The hybrids are still very expensive, a plug-in is not really practical for someone who parks in a blue zone – and biogas performs even better in terms of emissions than non-green electricity. That’s why I opted for the CNG engine.

What experiences have you had so far?
Only good ones! The car runs brilliantly. Every week I cover around 200 kilometres in the Fiat. The filling stations are well distributed – and if you know where the biogas filling stations are, you can avoid the current rise in CNG prices.

Whenever possible, the CNG driver fills up with biogas, despite a biogas upgrade and even before CNG prices at the pumps shot up in some cases. Source: Eva Kamber

How does the refuelling work?
As an absolute beginner when it comes to gas-powered cars, you’re quite cautious at first. In fact, refuelling is just as easy as a petrol engine, and there are plenty of filling stations – which you can easily find via Google or the filling station finder on the CNG Mobility site – so you won’t be left stranded anywhere.

Are you trying to fill up with only biogas where possible to make your journeys virtually carbon-neutral?
I’ve booked a biogas upgrade. However, I still drive to the biogas filling stations if I can reasonably fit it into my daily routine. I was doing that even before it was cheaper than CNG.

Incidentally, Eva Kamber had chosen the CNG Panda with its relatively large 35-litre petrol reserve tank out of pure range anxiety: “In retrospect, this fear was absolutely unfounded.” Source: Eva Kamber

With a CNG car, you’re making a contribution to combating climate change. Why are you committed to protecting the environment?
We’re going to need the environment for a little while longer yet… And, of course, thinking about the future of your own children doesn’t soothe your guilty conscience. A CNG car is one of the easiest ways to reduce your CO₂ footprint a bit. You can experience what it’s like to have a luxury car, have practically no disadvantages and still clock fewer emissions from driving than before.

How do those around you react to the CNG car?
They’re very intrigued. Most people know that there are CNG cars out there. But hardly anyone is aware of how they work, and how simple, cheap and practical they are. Occasionally someone is even frightened that it’ll explode…

The horse lover is clearly having fun behind the wheel of her agile yet surprisingly spacious CNG-powered small car. Source: Eva Kamber

Would you recommend a CNG car?
They’re the perfect everyday vehicles. A CNG car is the perfect choice for anyone who focuses less on horsepower and more on practicality, doing something for the environment and saving money at the same time.

Has your fascination with cars remained unchanged with a CNG vehicle?
Fascination may be the wrong word, it’s more like “my car is my castle.” Having your own car is incredibly important to me – even though I’m aware that it’s a luxury. But I really enjoy the flexibility and independence. I love my CNG car even more than my last one, because it helps mitigate feeling bad for having something so luxurious – since it’s better for the environment! (jas, 7. April 2022)

The Fiat Panda has front-wheel drive and a manual 5-speed gearbox. Source: Eva Kamber