Oct. 8 – Having the least possible impact on the environment is a new frontier for the automotive industry. And the “Ecobest” prize is there to ensure that the car industry does its part. Autobest’sinternational jury awarded the 2013 prize to Fiat’s “Metano program,” which proposes a cheap, simple and environmentally friendly solution to the currently available fuels. Established 12 years ago as the first European award dedicated to green products and technologies in the automotive sector, “Ecobest” is attributed by a jury of 15 journalists, representing 15 European countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary. “Ecobest 2013” confirms “Fiat’s commitment – said in a statement the group – to the pursuit of practical, effective and affordable technological solutions, made available to a wide audience so that they can bring the greatest possible ecological and economic benefits.” In terms of alternative fuels, Fiat believes that “natural gas engines are currently the most appropriate technological choice to help reduce pollution in urban areas as well as CO2 emissions. The engines powered by natural gas reduce particulate, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons emissions to a minimum. In addition, compared to oil, natural gas brings CO2 emissions down by 23%.” So, according to the Turin-based company methane is the most ” clean” and cheap fuel available today in addition to being a potential source for the development of renewable biomethane.
