WITH FULL (BIO)GAS INTO THE FUTURE

Natural gas/biogas mobility was at the heart of a major event held at the Bern STEP to mark the delivery of 30 Seat Leon ST TGI models to SPIE Switzerland Ltd. These bi-fuel vehicles (natural gas and petrol) are generating growing interest among fleet managers, and this sizeable delivery of natural gas/biogas vehicles represents a significant first for Seat.

The event marking the delivery to SPIE Switzerland Ltd employees of 30 Seat Leon models running on natural gas/biogas took place on Tuesday 17 October 2017 at the Bern STEP, the biogas-producing wastewater treatment plant that issued the biogas certificates for this vehicle fleet. Each car will run on 100% biogas for its first 1000 km, thus being 100% carbon neutral. In this connection the Bern STEP will be injecting a sufficient quantity of biogas in the natural gas network to meet the consumption needs for those 30,000 km. These new vehicles will save 21 tonnes of CO2 over the course of their operating life while also greatly reducing harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
A subsidiary of SPIE Group, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, SPIE Switzerland Ltd is adding these 30 natural gas/biogas vehicles to its fleet to handle quick maintenance service calls.

“Among other things, SPIE develops energy efficiency services while assisting its clients in connecting with the green economy, so it was only natural for the business to lead by example. The new fleet of natural gas/biogas cars confirms this commitment to environmental responsibility!” enthused Michael Suderow, CFO of SPIE Switzerland Ltd.

Arval is the company responsible for the “Full Service Leasing” of these vehicles: “Arval increased the residual value of these gas/petrol powered vehicles to assist SPIE in its commitment to environmental responsibility and to provide a complete management plan for these vehicles” said Yannick Broccard, Business Unit Manager at Arval Switzerland SA.
“For SEAT, registering so many natural gas vehicles at once is a first in Switzerland, and it is to date the largest fleet of natural gas/biogas vehicles. Until now we could only expect more modest fleets, but this is something that is changing. The next major client has already signed a contract for the same model!” announced Karin Huber, Public Relations Manager at SEAT.

André Räss, natural gas/biogas mobility manager in Western Switzerland, is delighted with this atmosphere of change and excellent partnership: “More than ever, I believe in the possibility of expanding natural gas/biogas business fleets. With a trio of cars that has been at the top of EcoMobiliste rankings for several years, confirming the importance of mobility that both respects the environment and is economical, I am convinced that interest in these cars on the part of businesses can only increase! “