Alternative fuel technology in the transport sector can help drive the EU's push for energy efficiency, parliament has been told.

A debate, organised by the Parliament Magazine on Wednesday, heard, however, that further investment will be needed to ensure that alternative fuels such as LPG (liquified petrol gas) account for a higher share of the fuel mix than currently exists.

A commission report as far back as 2003 identified LPG as an alternative vehicle fuel with the "scope for additional market share of up to five per cent" by 2010.

One of the keynote speakers at the debate, Paul Voss, of the European LPG Association, said that, LPG currently accounts for about two per cent of market share.

"Clearly, we are not there yet," he said. "But LPG and other alternative fuels can become a significant part of the mix."

He said the EU as a "legislator and coordinator" had an important role to play in this regard, saying, "Anything that we can do to diversify and achieve a more secure energy mix is worth considering."

Another speaker, Jeffrey Seisler, the Brussels-based CEO of Clean Fuels Consulting, said, there was "no fuel panaceas", adding, "Every fuel has its benefits and challenges."

He pointed out that, compared to petrol and diesel, all alternative fuels, except LPG and natural gas, were more expensive, have energy storage problems and that the environmental benefits were "varied."

He said, "The critical challenge facing the EU and other policymakers is to find the right balance and mix of fuels in the marketplace and to design policies that motivate the customer to decide which technology and fuel is best for them."

He praised the EU for its initiatives in this area, including the green car initiative and subsidies for liquid biofuels.

But he also said there were "many opportunities" to improve EU policy for alternative fuels and vehicle technologies.

"The EU needs to reduce the disjointed aspects of its policies and we also need more balanced funding alternatives."

Italian ALDE MEP Vittorio Prodi, who hosted the breakfast briefing, said alternative fuels had a "very important" role to play in the transition from conventional vehicle fuel.

But he warned, "However, this transition to a more sustainable road transport model will not be done overnight. It will take decades. Even so,  gas is certainly a good option which is worth pursuing."
 

Source: EU Parliament.com