European LPG Industry
The LPG industry in Europe already responds to the energy demand of more than 120 million European citizens and has strong prospects for long term growth. LPG’s person-to-person distribution system creates and maintains jobs at local level all across Europe (up to 150,000 direct employees). Currently Europe’s production and consumption of LPG are roughly equal to about 26 million tonnes annually.
Recognition of LPG’s advantages and the associated reduction of external costs associated with pollution and climate change have lead governments to actively promote the use of LPG by citizens. These efforts have been particularly evident in the automotive sector. Key EU Member States including Germany, France and Italy are encouraging motorists to switch to LPG, offering financial incentives aimed at off-setting the cost of retrofitting and establishing tax frameworks designed to stimulate the uptake of alternative fuels.
In Europe’s cities, where the health impact of pollution from conventional fuels is most apparent, LPG has been identified as a desirable and immediately available solution.
LPG in Europe falls under the framework for excise rates on energy products, established by Directive EC/2003/96. The integration of the external cost reductions - notably in terms of public health care - associated with the use of Autogas is reflected in the comparatively low excise rates applied to it. Such favourable tax conditions simultaneously illustrate and reinforce LPG’s status as a green and affordable alternative fuel. As European citizens and policy-makers seek an appropriate balance between environmental and economic imperatives, Autogas is an increasingly appealing solution.
Recognition of LPG’s advantages and the associated reduction of external costs associated with pollution and climate change have lead governments to actively promote the use of LPG by citizens. These efforts have been particularly evident in the automotive sector. Key EU Member States including Germany, France and Italy are encouraging motorists to switch to LPG, offering financial incentives aimed at off-setting the cost of retrofitting and establishing tax frameworks designed to stimulate the uptake of alternative fuels.
In Europe’s cities, where the health impact of pollution from conventional fuels is most apparent, LPG has been identified as a desirable and immediately available solution.
LPG in Europe falls under the framework for excise rates on energy products, established by Directive EC/2003/96. The integration of the external cost reductions - notably in terms of public health care - associated with the use of Autogas is reflected in the comparatively low excise rates applied to it. Such favourable tax conditions simultaneously illustrate and reinforce LPG’s status as a green and affordable alternative fuel. As European citizens and policy-makers seek an appropriate balance between environmental and economic imperatives, Autogas is an increasingly appealing solution.
The AEGPL is the European LPG Industry Association and its mandate is
to communicate on the benefits of LPG to European policy makers, please
visit http://www.aegpl.eu/ for more information
