Volkswagen Polo TGI: Good result in the test
After one year and around 25,000 kilometers, our endurance test with the VW Polo TGI with natural gas drive is coming to an end. The verdict is positive throughout. Natural gas expert Kurt Schmidlin explains the reasons. The VW Polo TGI (from 24,350 Swiss francs) had to overcome many challenges: In terms of range, the compact five-door made it far [...]
The VW Polo TGI (from 24,350 Swiss francs) had to master many challenges: In terms of range, the compact five-door made it well over the 1,000-kilometer mark (gas and gasoline combined), it felt just as comfortable in the mountains as in the city, and with sufficient luggage it transported us safely, comfortably, and without breakdowns to all corners of Switzerland. And it did so on dry, wet and snow-covered roads.
Immediate CO2 reductions from the start
Driving on natural gas, as with the Polo TGI, offers two main advantages and many secondary ones, as natural gas expert Kurt Schmidlin from Gasverbund Mittelland explains to us: "Natural gas as a fuel emits 15 percent less CO2 than diesel and 25 percent less than gasoline. Since around 20 percent biogas is added in Switzerland, the figure rises to 35 percent less CO2 than diesel and 45 percent less than gasoline. value fills up with 100 percent biogas, which is possible at some filling stations, drives almost CO2-neutral!" The second big advantage, especially for the budget: "One kilo of natural gas is the energy equivalent of 1.5 liters of gasoline. Converted, natural gas costs between one and 1.10 francs per liter in Switzerland - so environmentally friendly driving with potential for savings!"
Technology is available and mature
In addition, the clean combustion of natural gas produces hardly any particulate matter and is quieter. Other advantages are the long range due to the combination of gas and gasoline tanks, the dense network of filling stations in Switzerland (151 stations), Italy and Germany (over 1,000 each) and the fast refueling process.
Kurt Schmidlin gives it a thumbs-up: "The technology is available and mature, the filling station network is already in place today, and safety is absolutely guaranteed because the pressurized tanks are subject to the strictest safety checks and testing specifications. I always have a good feeling when I drive natural gas."
And that's what happened to the AutoSprintCH team.
