The government of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, through the state development agency Desenvolve MT, launched a financing program to encourage the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for taxi drivers, transport applications and companies who want to convert their vehicles.
Aimed at companies and individuals, the amount offered will be up to R$ 6,000, with an interest rate of 1.40% per month for companies that pay on time, and 2.45% for individuals, with a financing term of up to 18 months.
With the constant increase in fuel prices, switching to CNG has become an attractive business for those who travel many kilometres a day. In a realistic expectation, a vehicle that circulates, on average, 350 kilometres per day, with the price of gasoline at R$ 5.29, would save 51% with natural gas. In addition to the advantage of traveling more and spending less, CNG provides benefits for the environment, emitting 60% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline and ethanol.
According to the Department of Transportation (Detran), this year alone, 3,251 vehicles were converted to use natural gas across the state.
The President of Desenvolve MT, Jair Marques, affirms that “the launch of the program aims to improve the income of professionals who use the vehicle for their work, in addition to providing the use of a more economical and sustainable energy matrix.”
According to the Companhia Mato-Grossense de Gás (MT Gás), the state has six CNG filling stations, four in Cuiabá and two in Várzea Grande, but the expectation is that two more facilities will be inaugurated in the coming months.
Source: Government of Mato Grosso