Gaseous fuel incentives are back in Italy

© EcogasSaving 500 to 1000 euros on conversion should encourage many to consider the switch

The programme is called ICBI 2016 (Iniziativa Carburanti a Basso Impatto) and it's a part of the Italian Ministry for Environment's gaseous fuel encouragement initiative. 1,8 million euros of funds has been designated for the purpose of encouraging drivers (of passenger cars and LCVs) to make the switch. Entitled to apply are all individuals and companies living or headquartered in the participating boroughs.

The incentive rates for passenger cars are as follows:

• 500 euros for converting at least Euro 2/Euro 3-compliant vehicles registered after January 1, 1997, to run on LPG;
• 650 euros for converting at least Euro 2/Euro 3-compliant vehicles registered after January 1, 1997, to run on CNG.

The above include 150 euros of discount granted by the conversion shop and 350 or 500 euros of incentive from the ICBI scheme (for LPG and CNG conversion, respectively). The installer must indicate the discount on the conversion service bill, otherwise the motorist will not be entitled to apply for the ICBI incentive.

The LCV rates are:

• 750 euros for converting at least Euro 2-compliant vehicles registered after January 1, 1997, to run on LPG;
• 1000 euros for converting at least Euro 2-compliant vehicles registered after January 1, 1997, to run on CNG.

As far as LCVs are concerned, apart from conversions of petrol-powered vehicles conversions of diesels are also allowed. Diesel-powered LCVs must be converted with the use of dual-fuel technology (simultaneous injection of diesel and CNG or LPG).

According to official estimates, the new batch of incentives should result in approx. 4500 new LPG- and CNG-powered vehicles appearing on Italian roads in 2016.