Author: Georgios Chatzopoulos - Diplom Engineer - MSc, MBA - DEPA S.A.

 The legislative framework has a significant impact on the 'automotive' fuel market and influences strongly the development of the “Natural Gas” sector in Greece.

In general, for distributing Natural Gas in Greece a special distribution license is required issued by the Energy Regulatory Authority (RAE).

The main legislative framework for Natural Gas for mobility use since 2000 is the following:

1. CNG REFUELING STATIONS

At the end of 2010, when the development of "Natural Gas" in the retail motor fuel market in Greece began, there was an inadequate legislative framework that created barriers and insurmountable obstacles in setting up CNG retail outlets for refueling Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs). More specifically:

• Referring to the operating conditions for granting a license for the establishment and operation of CNG stations, the Government Gazette No. 155, 16/2/2000 Decision 5063/184 allowed the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA SA) to establish pilot CNG stations in the wide area of Athens for refueling public traffic buses and waste disposal heavy vehicles.

Two more decisions were followed which allowed:

• The establishment of CNG pilot stations throughout the country, allowing private fleets and passenger cars to be refueled, giving the right of establishing a refueling station only to these legal entities who have the license to distribute Natural Gas. Until 15/11/2008 only DEPA SA had this right - Government Gazette No. 361 / 16-3-2007 Decision 13263/1043, and

• The establishment of CNG stations in existing LPG stations. An amendment was adopted in February 2007 allowing existing LPG stations to distribute natural gas (CNG) for the vehicle traffic - Government Gazette No 40 / 23-2-2007, Article 20.

Unfortunately, this legislative framework has significantly restricted the development of a CNG station network compared to the network of refueling stations for other conventional motor fuels (Liquid Fuels + LPG).

In 2011, following a systematic work carried out by DEPA SA in cooperation with TUEV SAARLAND (Germany) and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, a significant modernization of the legislative framework at the level of the most advanced European countries was achieved, and the basic conditions for the unhindered development of CNG stations and infrastructures were created:

• With the Law 4070/2012, a new term "gas refueling station" was introduced
• With the Law 4199/2013, the spatial planning of CNG stations inside other refueling stations was regulated.
• The Ministerial Decision No. 655/60 - Government Gazette B70 / 16.01.2015 amended and supplemented the provisions on the conditions for the establishment and operation of CNG refueling stations.
• The Ministerial Decision No. 81540/1445 / Φ.4.2. - Government Gazette B 2984 / 31.12.2015 simplified the granting of licensing to set up and operate CNG gas refueling stations.

2. NATURAL GAS VEHICLES

Regarding the natural gas vehicles (NGVs) the following shall be noted:

• Light- (passenger, van) and heavy- (trucks and trailers) new or used NGVs can be imported to Greece provided they have received type approval from their country of manufacture in the European Union (Government Gazette 303 / 7-3-2007 No. 10375/829).
• Promotion of the equal treatment of natural gas vehicles with hybrids and the reduction of the required engine displacement for natural gas taxi vehicles (Government Gazette 216 / 23-10-2008, Law 3710/2008, article 24).

The following important provisions concerning the conversion of vehicles for using natural gas as fuel have been adopted by DEPA proposals to the Ministry of Transport:

• The provisions of Article 12 (chapter A ') of Law 4233 / 29.1.2014 (Government Gazette A' 22) introduced the possibility of converting motor vehicles into bi-fuel engines, which means the combustion of conventional fuel or CNG in the engines. Based on this provision the Ministerial Decision No.10852/715/2014 (Government Gazette 1466 / B / 2014) was issued, laying down the technical specifications of the special equipment necessary for the use of CNG and other control terms and conditions for the safe traffic of the vehicle.
• The provisions of the Official Gazette No. 199 B / 23.01.2015 set out the technical specifications of the special equipment needed for the mixing of natural gas with diesel (diesel engines) – dual-fuel technology and other control terms and conditions for the safe traffic of the vehicle.

3. OTHER LEGISLATIVE REGULATIONS

At the same time DEPA actively supported the Ministry of Transport in the development of the following legislation:

• Legislation for the certification of vehicle technicians for the conversion and maintenance of natural gas-fueled vehicles. (Government Gazette 2235 N / 31.12.2010)
• Legislation laying down the terms and conditions for the operation of NGV service stations. (mechanical equipment, the interior layout of their premises, etc.).
• Regulation for the training of the staff of Vehicle Technical Control Centers referring to the performance of specific periodical technical controls of NGVs.

4. PENDING LEGISLATION

To further develop the market, in line with European policy trends, the following issues must be treated and regulated:

• Legislation for the establishment of LNG / CNG refueling stations,
• Legislation on the use of biogas in "automotive",
• National standards (standards) referring to the composition and the features of the Natural Gas when it is used as automobile fuel,
• Modernization of the legislative framework for the re-inspection of CNG storage cylinders in vehicles.

In any case, at present, the legislative framework enables the seamless establishment of CNG refueling stations and the development of private and professional NGV fleets in the country.

It must be noted that under the European Directive, Greece is exempt from the CNG excite tax. by the end of 2013. From 2014 it was expected to impose the minimum excise tax rate that has not yet been imposed.

In 2014, EU Directive 94 established a common framework of measures to develop alternative fuel infrastructures in the EU in order to minimize dependence on oil and reduce the environmental impact on the transport sector.

The Directive lays down minimum standards for the creation of alternative fuel infrastructures, including recharging points for electric vehicles, refueling points for natural gas (CNG or LNG) and hydrogen refueling facilities (for this fuel on an optional basis), which will be implemented through national policy frameworks of Member States, as well as common technical specifications for such recharge and refueling points, and user information specifications.

Article 6 of the Directive contains provisions relating to the supply of natural gas for transport, with paragraphs 7.8, & 9 to make a specific reference to the EU Member States' commitment to the existence of a sufficient number of CNG refueling points for motor vehicles. Paragraph 7 provides that the EU Member States shall undertake to provide by 31 December 2020 a sufficient number of CNG refueling points for traffic in urban/suburban and other densely populated areas. Paragraph 8 also states Member States' commitment to ensuring that by 31 December 2025 there will be a sufficient number of CNG heavy-duty vehicles to be available anywhere in the EU.

In 2016, the Greek State, through the Government Gazette 222 / 30.11.2016, adopted all the provisions of Directive 2014/94 / EU and it is expected that specific policies for the development of alternative fuels are expected.