Volkswagen turns to CNG to power its commercial vehicles, cut emissions and offer greater range

Alternatives to traditional fuels are making their mark on today’s market, where brands such as Volkswagen have decided to embrace CNG as a second energy source for their vehicles. On this occasion, the Wolfsburg-based company has sought to optimise the commercial segment it has worked in for years, a segment that has always been under scrutiny because of its diesel engines and pollution levels. However, the German firm has turned to CNG as a second fuel to power this range of vehicles, which will allow it not only to considerably reduce CO2 emissions but also to offer greater range.

The Volkswagen Caddy was the best-selling commercial vehicle in Spain in 2018, a title the German van earned with its CNG-powered engine under the bonnet. This achievement is the result of the company’s collaboration with Gasnam, its main partner, which firmly backs the presence of this second fuel running through the “veins” of Volkswagen vehicles.

This company is backed by a total of 126 partners, through which it aims to bring eco-friendly mobility to different sectors. Energy, automotive, engineering and freight transport are some of the fields in which Gasnam is working, with the automotive sector represented by Volkswagen and its Caddy running on CNG and petrol.

This pairing is taking place across countless vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, which is due to the significant benefits this second fuel offers. CNG is cleaner, quieter and more economical than diesel or petrol, and its use in our vehicle can save up to 30% compared with the former and up to 50% compared with the latter. Alongside these advantages we should mention the coveted ECO sticker, a classification that allows its users to enter the heart of cities such as Madrid or Barcelona.

The Volkswagen Caddy finds itself in this position thanks to the engine under its bonnet, which has a series of modifications that allow it to run on CNG. It is a 1.4-litre TGI engine capable of producing 110 CV of power and 200 Nm of torque, figures more than sufficient to move the German van with ease in virtually any setting.

These performance figures are complemented by a total range of 890 kilometres, a capacity that will let us cover our daily journeys with few visits to the petrol station. Thanks to Volkswagen’s partnership with Gasnam, it will benefit from significant synergies that will promote the presence of CNG across its range, giving rise to a substantial line-up powered by this fuel in both the commercial and private segments.