Egypt to ramp up car conversion to natural gas

Egypt is intensifying efforts to transition its vehicle fleet to run on natural gas, with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly highlighting both the economic and environmental advantages of the initiative.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Madbouly emphasised that converting cars to natural gas not only offers lower fuel costs compared to traditional fuels but also supports the country’s broader environmental goals and ensures greater fuel availability for consumers.

The Prime Minister announced that the government would soon begin converting government vehicles to run on natural gas, a move expected to deliver substantial savings for both the state and its citizens. The initiative aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to transition to cleaner, more sustainable fuel alternatives.

The PM further stressed the importance of scaling up efforts to double the number of cars targeted for conversion. A new plan aims to increase the conversion target from 122,000 vehicles to 250,000 vehicles. Madbouly emphasised the need for incentives to encourage more citizens to undertake the conversion process, making the transition more accessible to a broader population.

Moreover, Mohamed Khodair, Vice Chairman of Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), provided an update on the Million Cars Running on Compressed Natural Gas initiative. He reported that the total number of refuelling stations has now reached 805, with a utilisation rate of 60 per cent. Additionally, 562,000 vehicles have already been converted to run on natural gas, marking significant progress towards the government’s ambitious goals.

The meeting underscored the global shift towards compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative to traditional energy sources, with countries worldwide striving to maximise its use as part of efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Attribution: Egyptian Cabinet

Subediting: M. S. Salama