< p>At the beginning of this year, Písek will launch its first public compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station. Located in the Jitex industrial zone, it is designed for refueling buses as well as the broader motorist public.< span id="more-5312" >
< p>The station is operated by ZLINER, with technology supplied by MOTOR JIKOV Strojírenská a.s. We discussed the significance of this station for the Písek region, including its economic and ecological aspects, with Mayor Ondřej Veselý.< b>
< p>< strong>Mr. Mayor, what information do you have about CNG as an alternative fuel?
< p>Of course, I recognize CNG as one of the viable ecological pathways for future transportation systems. I haven't personally driven a CNG-powered vehicle yet, but I know the opinions of drivers who have experience with CNG. They emphasize not only its ecological and economic benefits but also that the vehicle retains the attributes of a conventional automobile, unlike some other alternative drivetrains. They appreciate that cars have similar driving characteristics as with traditional gasoline or diesel engines. Moreover, they are incredibly quiet, to the point that one might wonder if the engine is running... which, by the way, is a rather pleasant effect. As someone deeply committed to nature and ecology, I am pleased that the replacement of conventional sources with compressed natural gas is advancing. Although it is a natural resource that must be extracted from the earth, I consider it much more environmentally friendly and with greater potential than traditional petroleum products.
< p>< strong>Písek will be the third South Bohemian city, after České Budějovice and Tábor, to have a public CNG filling station by the end of January. Is this good news for Písek?
< p>Certainly. While I usually prefer Písek to be first, in this case, we can accept third place. But seriously: I am unequivocally glad that this filling station is being built. Its availability will encourage more vehicles to use CNG for various reasons, which is very positive for the environment of the city and surrounding areas. Utilizing this resource can also benefit our public transportation. The existence of a filling station makes it feasible to consider buses or smaller vehicles powered by CNG.
< p>< strong>Large corporate fleets and institutions in the Czech Republic are beginning to adopt CNG. Can you imagine CNG being used to serve the city of Písek?
< p>I can, definitely. For us as managers, the key considerations are the ratio of cost to performance and utility. The city promotes a policy of sustainable development and minimizing environmental and air quality impacts. City vehicles cover substantial distances. The municipal office has eight vehicles, at least four of which operate mainly within the city and its vicinity. CNG would be an ideal fuel for them.
< p>Once we have all inputs, we will prepare an economic assessment. If operating on CNG does not increase costs or proves to be more efficient, we will seriously consider it because the ecological benefit is highly important for Písek. When a dense network of filling stations exists, it makes sense to consider CNG for other vehicles as well. If station coverage becomes truly widespread, CNG could have a very promising future.
< p>< strong>When deciding on using CNG, would you prioritize the economic or ecological aspect?
< p>They are interconnected, and you cannot separate these attributes. Ecological solutions are obviously important to us. However, in the current situation, they would be of little use if they involved excessive costs. It would be ideal if, alongside undeniable ecological effects, there were also cost savings. I understand that engines are more expensive at this stage of development, but once mass production is sufficient, purchase prices will decrease, making economic factors even more favorable. Although CNG requires extraction as a natural resource, its emissions profile provides clear and significant ecological benefits. I believe CNG, considering global natural gas reserves, offers a longer-term solution than petroleum fuels.
< p>In our city, we currently operate only new public transport buses. The fleet was recently renewed. But it is also entirely feasible to consider microbuses powered by CNG on routes with fewer passengers to reduce costs. I am confident—and I have received such signals—that once the filling station is operational, more Písek companies will switch to CNG.
< p>Preparations for launching the public CNG filling station in the Písek industrial zone are reaching their climax. The photos below show the station’s status as of Friday, January 11, 2013.
< p>< img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5340" alt="4800web" src="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4800web.jpg" width="460" height="329" srcset="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4800web.jpg 460w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4800web-300x214.jpg 300w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4800web-419x300.jpg 419w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px">
< p>< img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5345" alt="4863 web" src="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4863-web.jpg" width="460" height="329" srcset="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4863-web.jpg 460w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4863-web-300x214.jpg 300w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4863-web-419x300.jpg 419w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px">
< p>< img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5353" alt="foto 2 oprava" src="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-2-oprava.jpg" width="460" height="329" srcset="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-2-oprava.jpg 460w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-2-oprava-300x214.jpg 300w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-2-oprava-419x300.jpg 419w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px">
< p>< img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5352" alt="foto 1 oprava" src="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-1-oprava.jpg" width="460" height="329" srcset="https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-1-oprava.jpg 460w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-1-oprava-300x214.jpg 300w, https://www.motorjikov.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/foto-1-oprava-419x300.jpg 419w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px">
