These are the advantages of buying or converting a car to natural gas according to experts

In 2021, nearly 16,000 vehicles were converted to natural gas vehicles (NGV), and 1,587 heavy vehicles dedicated to this technology were incorporated. In this way, Colombia exceeded 639,000 converted units and 4,000 dedicated heavy references, between buses, trucks and dump trucks, with which CNG continues to consolidate itself as a sustainable and competitive mobility alternative.

However, there are several sectors of the population that do not yet know the benefits of having NGV technology, nor the incentives offered by Law 2128 of 2021, which promotes the supply, continuity, reliability and coverage of fuel gas in the country.

For this reason, the Colombian Association of Natural Gas (Naturgas) reiterated the advantages of using natural gas and invited the community to consider buying or converting to these means of transport.

“There are two types of CNG vehicles: converted vehicles, which are those that are originally manufactured for a fuel other than natural gas and undergo a conversion process to use natural gas; and dedicated vehicles, which are those whose engine has been designed and manufactured to operate exclusively on natural gas,” he explained. Luz Stella Murgas, president of Naturgas.

The main benefits that the guild highlights are:

– It implies savings of up to 50% compared to gasoline, and 35% compared to diesel.

– It has no restrictions on traffic (“pick and plate”, “day without a car”, etc.).

– You are exempt from paying VAT.

– Taxes may not exceed 1% of the commercial value of the vehicle.

– 10% discount on premiums for SOAT insurance, contractual and non-contractual liability insurance for vehicles dedicated to natural gas.

– Reduces nearly 100% of emissions of fine particulate matter, which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the most harmful air pollutant to human health.

– New vehicles dedicated to natural gas will be exempt for 10 years from obtaining the Pollutant Emissions Certificate and will have a 30% discount on technical-mechanical reviews.

“Currently, there are 150 authorized workshops in the country for the installation of this mobility technology. This should be seen as an investment in personal finances and the planet, because, in addition to lowering circulation costs, it contributes to the improvement of the quality of life and the environment”, concluded the union president.

The Colombian vehicle market registered 19,219 new license plates in February

According to figures from the Runt and ANDEMOS calculations, 19,219 new vehicles were registered in February, which represents a drop of -2.4% compared to the same month last year when 19,689 units were registered.

So far this month, the car segments stood out with 7,431 registrations, followed by Utility with 6,485 units and Commercial cargo less than 10.5T with 1,766 units and variations of 11.8%, 24.5% and 88.9% respectively, compared to the previous year.

Electric and hybrid vehicles continue to be the protagonists during the second month of the year with 1,772 registered units and a variation of 62.4% compared to the same period last year when 1,091 units were registered.

By technology, electric hybrids (HEV) lead the segment with 1,247 units, followed by electric hybrids (BEV) with 323 and plug-in hybrids with 202 units.

In the segment brands, Suzuki with a positive variation of 46000% and 461 units stand out; followed by Toyota with 448 (-14.5%), BYD with 225 (84.4%), Kia with 131 (45.6%) and Mercedes Benz 121 (30.1%).

As for the market in general, there are Renault 3,454 units (-14.1%), Chevrolet with 2,736 (-23.5%), Volkswagen with 1,784 (67.4%) followed by Suzuki with 1,681 (173.8%) and Toyota with 1,509 units (16.8%).

As for the premium brands, Mercedes Benz (219) stands out -12.7% less than the same month in 2021, BMW (183) with a variation of -37.8% and Audi (154) with a growth of 18.5%.

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