Project acronym and title: MADEGASCAR; MArket DEvelopment of GAS driven CARs including supply and distribution of natural gas and biogas.

Project duration: 1 September 2007 – 1 September 2010

Web page : www.madegascar.eu

Project objectives

The overall goal of MADEGASCAR is to develop the market for gas driven vehicles by addressing strategic target groups on the demand side and also strengthening the supply and distribution infrastructure of biogas and natural gas to fuel vehicles. It will therefore contribute to achieving the targets of the European Union to substitute 10 % of fossil fuels in the transport sector by natural gas and 8% by biofuels until 2020. Furthermore it will contribute to achieve the goal to convert 10 % of all European vehicles to natural gas until 2020.

MADEGASCAR will:

• Identify barriers and success factors for the integration of biogas/natural gas in the fuel supply chain by doing regional feasibility and case studies.
• Foster concrete applications on the supply and the demand side.
• Raise awareness of the possibilities of gas as a fuel among gas suppliers, fuel station owners, municipalities, etc.
• Plan for an extended infrastructure for gas fuelling stations.
• Focus on light transport and personal cars with the main goal to:
  • increase the interest and awareness of car fleet managers, purchasers and car dealers by promotion and training measures,
  • increase significantly the number of gas driven cars, by 50%, in the participating regions.
• Disseminate the experiences and the knowledge gained to other energy agencies, supplier organization and public authorities.

In general and on the long run the project will create acceptance and a positive attitude towards natural gas and biogas fuelled cars in Europe. MADEGASCAR will also enable mutual learning between key actors of European regions and establishing long-term partnerships for business opportunities and market development. Regional initiatives for biogas supply for transport and the promotion of gas driven cars in a regional context will be generated.

Expected results

Increased use of gas as car fuel, more tank stations, integration of biogas into the fuel chain and an increased number of gas vehicles in the partner regions will be achieved by carrying out the action plans developed in the project. This will have direct impact on the regional markets but also affecting car manufacturers and national regulations. A wider influence of the MADEGASCAR project is therefore guaranteed.

The consortium of 15 partners from 10 countries ensures that the results from the project will be widely disseminated and implemented in Europe. More experienced partners will transfer knowledge to less advanced regions within the established regional and European networks.