Sergei Zinoviev, a respected voice at Za Rulem, Russia’s longstanding automotive authority, notes a shift in how drivers think about converting cars to gas. He outlines three observable trends shaping the market and the conversation around alternative fuels today.
Gas stations are shutting their doors
Setting up an autogas filling compressor station, particularly for compressed natural gas (CNG), remains straightforward and affordable thanks to substantial government subsidies. Yet the financial returns for operating such stations have narrowed significantly. The number of CNG filling stations in Russia has declined from 743 to 635 in recent years, with about 20 stations expected to close in the near term. The practicalities of delivering gas to car cylinders have grown more challenging, impacting the viability of expanding this network.
Limited parking space for growth
For a CNG network to become profitable, a larger share of the vehicle fleet needs to run on methane. Today, roughly 1.5 million gas-powered vehicles exist, equating to a mere 3.2% of Russia’s total car fleet, which tallies around 44 million. Even among these methane-powered vehicles, not every single one uses methane as its primary fuel. This modest scale makes it difficult for gas stations to achieve sustained, widespread profitability without a broad transition in consumer adoption and fleet turnover.
Public voting and automotive enthusiasm
Readers are invited to participate in a nationwide vote to highlight the leading car innovations of the year. The exercise is designed to engage car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike in recognizing what’s new and noteworthy on the market today.
As a token of appreciation for participants, several prizes are offered through a random drawing among all respondents who complete the survey before the stated deadline. This incentive is designed to encourage broad participation and to capture a diverse snapshot of opinions across the country.
COMPLETE THE 2023 DRIVING GRAND PRIX QUESTIONNAIRE
Electric vehicles and the broader transition
Alongside the push to convert traditional engines to gas, electric vehicles are receiving heightened attention and support. Government subsidies have been extended to encourage EV adoption, with programs offering substantial financial incentives to buyers. Domestic EV production is expanding, and the range of available models is steadily increasing as local manufacturers scale their output to meet growing demand.
Industry players are also exploring how gas and electricity might complement each other within a diversified transport ecosystem. There is ongoing discussion about the role methane-based fuel systems could play alongside battery electric propulsion, particularly in fleet operations and regions with robust natural gas infrastructure. Early experiences in other countries show potential benefits in terms of fuel diversity, energy security, and emissions reductions when there is a thoughtful blend of technologies and policy support.
Read about the features of converting cars to methane in the December issue of the driving magazine – currently available for readers
The material reflects insights drawn from earlier industry reporting on methane-based propulsion and the evolving narrative around alternative fuels in modern mobility.