Fuel Delivery:

Fueling Stations

In 2011, global revenues based on the total installed cost of LNG, CNG, and hydrogen fueling stations reached $2.2 billion.

Advanced fueling stations are those that are capable of supplying advanced fuels to the vehicles that use them. This includes fueling stations for liquid biofuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hydrogen. The infrastructure for both CNG and LNG refueling stations is very similar to that of a hydrogen refueling station. Therefore, many believe that if the infrastructure is in place for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), the potential switch to hydrogen fuel could be much easier and less expensive.

Biofuel fueling stations comprise the largest product category in the Fueling Station subsegment, with ethanol accounting for the vast majority of existing biofuel stations worldwide. In Brazil, ethanol derived from sugarcane is the primary advanced fuel, and in 2010, the country had an estimated 35,000 ethanol fueling stations (with blends ranging from E20 to E100). Other countries like Sweden, which was home to 1,200 ethanol stations in 2010, rely on ethanol imports. As of late 2012, the United States had a total of 2,270 ethanol fueling stations (E85), according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, the value of this market has not been quantified, so the total market value of the Fueling Stations subsegment market is significantly understated.

In 2011, global revenues based on the total installed cost of LNG, CNG, and hydrogen fueling stations reached $2.2 billion. Worldwide, 2,245 fueling stations were added in 2011, with natural gas accounting for 99% of the total number of stations. In 2012, new global installations of natural gas and hydrogen fueling stations are expected to drop nearly 23%, with an expected 1,739 new fueling stations installed generating $1.9 billion. The Asia Pacific region, home to the highest number of advanced fueling stations (CNG, LNG, and hydrogen only) worldwide with 9,672, will be responsible for much of this reduced growth due to fewer NGV fueling stations coming online in Pakistan compared to 2011; Pakistan has more NGV fueling stations than any other country. Latin America, which is home to 5,032 advanced fueling stations, is expected to have the highest growth rate in the near-term.

The market in the United States added 141 natural gas and hydrogen fueling stations in 2011, generating $226.8 million in revenue, representing 10% of the global market value. Of those installations, 97% were natural gas fueling stations. Every state in the country, except for Hawaii, Iowa, and South Dakota, now has at least one natural gas fueling station. California leads the United States in number of hydrogen fueling stations. The 2012 U.S. market is expected to more than double compared to 2011 (an estimated $502.4 million in revenues) as a result of a rapid increase in the number of natural gas vehicle fueling stations installed.

Economic Impact

Advanced Energy Companies

+ view all