The region of Lombardy represents the most industrialised and fuel-intensive region in Italy and among the biggest in Europe (9.4 million inhabitants, > 20% of Italian GDP, > 800.000 companies, 12 universities, 200 research centres).

Despite the apparently positive situation in Italy in terms of distribution network, the rate of biofuel consumption in Italy is only at sixth place in Europe.

The BIOGAS/BIOMETHANE medium-term results are extremely interesting, especially due to transportation which is not solely network-connected (e.g. transporting in liquid state at -160°) implying lower infrastructure investments with respect to other gas fuels.

In the short-term, BIOGAS is promising nto only for its distribution advantages, but also for its variety of production lines, with high potential in growth growth and biomethane deployment.

Moreover, methane-fuelled vehicles show the widest range and type of cars, with a sensible growth rate in recent years and real investments from the car industry in terms of engines and emission control.

In Italy, methane vehicles represent only around 1% of the whole range of vehicles.

Lombardy is in third place in Italy in terms of the number of methane vehicles (after Emilia Romagna and Veneto), but with the highest growth rate.

The vehicle range and investment plans of the major car industries in Italy include :

• in the short term, natural gas will see the highest number and type of vehicles available
• BIOGAS is the most interesting renewable alternative, being compatible with the latest engine developments (with limited refinement to BIOMETHANE) and with the natural gas vehicle range, with real competitive advantages in terms of distribution costs

The mix of natural gas / hydrogen could represent the ideal bridge to the long-term hydrogen range.