Due to the increase in naphtha, the conversion of cars into CNG has increased by nearly 70% this year

With the release of fuel prices naphtha increased by almost 50% from January to now and the strong impact of this rise in the consumer pocket had as a result many are seeking refuge the most economical alternative: the CNG.

So much so that the House that gathers retailers say that rose nearly 70% last year conversions of cars that were pbaded naphtha gas.

"A few months ago, the minimum conversion peaks at the country level were in the middle of last year, and then they started to increase from about 6,000 per month average to 8,500 at the end of the year. By 2018 we are already in 10,000 conversions per month " Pedro González, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons of CNG, tells campo.com

The register nevertheless continues far from the 17,000 monthly conversions that occurred after the devaluation of 2002 when the "boom" occurred because the Naphtha prices doubled from one day to the next. This difference in the progressive evolution of the dollar and its impact on the price of the supplier – a key component of the cost structure of the oil companies – explains why it has not recovered these levels.

Official data indicate that there are 1.7 million cars with CNG . But for González, this number is underestimated. It is based on the number of platelets that are renewed each year, and what happens many times, according to the director, is that there are cases where motorists do not comply with this procedure but always sell gas.

It's a record time, but it's good for GNC, and it has to do with the price disparity, which will continue to increase, "says González.

" Unlike the # 39; petrol, a much more entrenched price " stated and badured that there were adjustments in April and October.

" We are on a scale that will end in 2019. We are subject to the value of the dollar, but we sign contracts in pesos until April of 2019 and that gives predictability, they will never increase too much, it will vary between $ 0.5 and $ 1. "

But he specifies that" the gas producers increase their costs in dollars and they come to us to see if we are adjusting the contracts. "

Before the first In the initial tariff adjustments implemented by the government of Mauricio Macri, the conversions were above current levels with months of up to 12 000 changes." At that time, the difference between CNG and naphtha was less than a third.But everything changed in April 2016. When the gap narrowed, liquids regained ground

A mean calculation shows that a vehicle with gas consumes between $ 1 and $ 1.5 per kilometer. Depending on the engine and the mode of use, a naphtero needs 6 to 8 liters per 100 kilometers. to say that with less than half of the expenses, the same area is covered.

González believes that "the expectations concerning the sector are good now, and very good for the medium term" and he is confident that There will be a moment when the GNC will be the star again, but he warns that "for This is a negative aspect "because" beyond the maintenance of the market by a more competitive price, they close because they do not bear the costs "

Worldwide, l & # 39; The use of CNG is growing for ecological reasons, for example, countries like Germany and Spain favor their use with tax benefits and discounts on tolls, even cars that leave the country. 39; factory with this type of propulsion. It is clear that the hybrid is the future, but not the present, and that is why they encourage the use of gas, "says Mr. González, while that in Argentina, the only incentive to conversion is the price. continue to increase, it seems that taking care of his pocket will outweigh his protection of the environment.