Mobility and Sustainability.

EcoFuel – Technology of the future

Volkswagen offers cars that run on natural gas under the “EcoFuel” label. Compared with a conventional petrol engine, the EcoFuel power plant running in natural gas mode produces around 80 percent less carbon monoxide and around 80 percent less nitrous oxides. CO2 emissions are reduced by 23 percent and are below 129 g/km. EcoFuel technology therefore guarantees access to all environmental zones. Natural gas is currently the cheapest fuel on the market, because the gas price will enjoy tax relief until 2018. There are no limits to the use of bio-natural gas. With EcoFuel technology Volkswagen is responding to the significant increase in demand for eco-friendly and economical cars, and it is also available as a DSG version.

A drive system with an added bonus

Two models with natural gas drive were added to the Volkswagen line-up back in 2006: the Touran EcoFuel (now with innovative TSI technology), the latest version of which has just been unveiled, and the Caddy  EcoFuel. Both these vehicles are powered by an 80 kW / 109 hp four-cylinder engine (fuel consumption: 8.6 m3 / 5.8 kg/100 km; CO2 emissions: 154 g/km)*. Naturally, these multitalented vehicles are able to run on petrol too. This primarily serves as a reserve fuel, however. The switch to conventional petrol fuel takes place automatically when the gas tank is empty (residual pressure approx. 10 bar), and is indicated by means of a separate fuel gauge in the display.

The Passat TSI EcoFuel: Innovation that pays for itself

Volkswagen is the world’s first manufacturer to present a direct-injection engine with twin charging for petrol and natural gas: in the new Passat and Passat Estate TSI EcoFuel. You can benefit in two ways at once from this new development: thanks to a reduced petroleum tax rate and cheap natural gas, your ongoing running costs will be noticeably reduced. And the significantly lower harmful emissions will benefit the environment.

Important information on natural gas

The energy content of one kilogram of natural gas corresponds to:

2l liquefied petroleum gas
1.5l petrol
1.3l diesel

This high level of energy efficiency means that natural gas is currently the most cost effective fuel available (approx. 0.60 cents/litre). But the financial benefits are not the only advantages of buying a natural gas vehicle.

Natural gas vehicles produce

75% less carbon monoxide
80% fewer hydrocarbons
25% less carbon dioxide
20% less hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides (responsible for summer smog)
compared with petrol-run vehicles.

Volkswagen is market leader in Germany with its natural gas models. Touran and Caddy EcoFuel had a market proportion of approx. 45% in 2007 with 5,967 vehicles sold. And the trend continues to rise in Europe. The number of registered vehicles in the "natural gas countries" Italy, Sweden and Switzerland is growing constantly.