Contact: Maggie DelRose
Lux Research, Inc.
857-284-5684
maggie.delrose@luxresearchinc.com
Natural Gas Vehicles in Top Auto Markets to Reach 7.5 Million in 2020
More favorable fuel price splits could increase the market potential, but automobiles will struggle to tap cheap shale gas, Lux Research says.
BOSTON, MA – May 9, 2013 – Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) on the road in the world’s seven largest automobile markets will reach only 7.5 million as the industry struggles to capitalize on cheap shale-driven natural gas, Lux Research said.
In order to be used as transportation fuel, natural gas needs to be converted into liquid fuel using capital-intensive technology, or vehicles need to be retrofitted to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas. Technology innovation is not the most decisive growth factor – fuel price differentials, payback period for premium-priced NGVs and fueling infrastructure are the major drivers of growth.
“Cheap natural gas is disrupting the electricity, chemical, and heating industries, but the impact on the transportation market has been minimal,” said Andrew Soare, Lux Research Senior Analyst and the lead author of the report titled, “Shale Takes on Automotive: The Future of Natural Gas Vehicles.” “Technical and economic challenges mean that’s likely to remain true – even if fuel splits widen.”
Lux Research analysts built a market forecast model to predict NGV sales in the seven key auto markets that account for 75% of vehicles on the road today: the U.S., Europe, China, India, Brazil, Russia, and Japan. Among their findings:
· Fuel price differential is a key driver. Oil price and natural gas price affect the NGV payback period, by affecting how much NGV vehicles save on fuel costs relative to gasoline or diesel powered vehicles. However, NGV vehicles come at a higher upfront cost, and reducing this premium shortens payback the most.
· India, China are top markets, but have low penetration. The world’s two most populous countries are the fifth- and sixth-largest NGV markets, respectively, but NGV penetration is only around 1% in each. In 2015, the two nations will occupy the top two spots of the seven nations surveyed – China with sales of 540,000 and India with sales of 250,000.
· User behavior will stymie U.S. growth.Even with favorable fuel pricing and low payback periods, NGVs are a tiny fraction of the U.S. vehicle market, owing to user resistance to new vehicles and entrenched driving and fueling habits. What’s more, natural gas prices in the U.S. will likely rise over the next few years, reducing the fuel price differential.
The report, titled “Shale Takes on Automotive: The Future of Natural Gas Vehicles,” is part of the Lux Research Alternative Fuels Intelligence service.
About Lux Research
Lux Research provides strategic advice and ongoing intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.
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