Frequently asked questions about clean fuels

An electric car is a car powered by batteries, which are in turn charged by the electricity network.

Electric cars are generally supplied directly from the factory. They’re suitable for drivers who don’t travel long distances and who can charge their vehicles at home, work, or possibly at a fast-charging station when taking a different route. 

All the electricity supplied by OG fast chargers is green. This green energy is generated by wind farms in the Netherlands. OG is also working on building its own solar parks so it can generate its own electricity and send it to the fast chargers. 

Electric vehicles are quiet and clean. In addition, business drivers enjoy a lower benefit-in-kind taxation rate, which keeps the lease costs for the driver low.

Lease drivers still enjoy a lower benefit-in-kind taxation rate (although it’s calculated over a higher initial cost price). The reduced benefit-in-kind taxation rate applies up to a certain amount. 22% benefit-in-kind taxation rate applies to the higher purchase price.

Private individuals cannot enjoy as many financial benefits from electric cars. The purchase price of an electric car is often too high for private individuals, and there are few second-hand cars for sale because of the lifespan of electric cars.

Besides this, charging is also cheap. A public charging station costs €0.34/kWh on average, and a fast charging station on the motorway around €0.65/kWh. If you charge at home, the rate is around €0.22/kWh. OG charges the lowest price in the Netherlands for fast charging; €0.35/kWh. Note: some providers have an initial flat fee, which can be €3. 
 

Yes, electric cars meet all safety requirements. However, current electric cars are virtually silent. The result of this is that pedestrians often fail to hear them. We recommend drivers of electric cars take this into account. Also, be careful with the charging cable when charging the car as people may trip over it. 

You can charge an electric car quickly or slowly. However, fast charging is not yet suitable for all vehicles. Fast chargers are often located at strategic locations close to the motorway, on industrial estates, or at filling stations. There are different types of fast chargers where you can charge at different speeds, although these may only be suitable for certain types of vehicles. 

Slow chargers can be found in car parks, fast food chains, hotels, etc. Sometimes, you can charge your car at work. Finally, a domestic charger can sometimes be supplied by the lease company, although you will need your own driveway. For more technical data and specific information about loading, have a look at www.nederlandelektrisch.nl

The charging time depends on how full the battery is, how fast the car can charge, and what charging station is available. If you charge an electric car at home with a 220 V power supply and an empty battery, you should take a charging time of 8 hours into account. At a standard public charging station, it will take around 2 to 4 hours to charge an empty battery. A fast-charging station can charge an empty battery to at least 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

You can find the OG fast-charging stations on the website under filling stations. For those on the road, the OG app is a great tool for finding the nearest filling station. For all other charging stations in the Netherlands, please see https://nederlandelektrisch.nl/opladen/waar-kan-ik-laden-in-nederland

The ranges of electric cars vary widely. There can also be a big difference between the range announced by manufacturers and the real figures. OG therefore recommends this website: https://ev-database.nl that lets you consult factory figures and actual figures. Most modern electric cars have a range of between 150 km and 300 km.

The tank-to-wheel emissions of an electric car are zero. This is also known as zero emission. Well-to-wheel emissions are not that clean, mainly due to the CO2 released during battery production, tyre wear, and the use of grey electricity. However, using green electricity makes a massive difference.

You need a charge card. At the moment, you can’t pay with a debit card or credit card. A subscription is also a popular option. View all the options here: https://laadpas.com. 

Yes you can. Lots of lease car suppliers offer electric cars. 

Companies that can convert cars to electric drive do exist, but there are many electric cars readily available from the factory. 

The fast-charging infrastructure outside the Netherlands is constantly improving. This website offers an overview of the charging infrastructure outside the Netherlands https://nederlandelektrisch.nl/opladen/laden-in-het-buitenland.

OG is currently the cheapest! We only charge €0.35 per kWh and no initial flat fee applies, making us the cheapest provider for fast charging. In addition, we sell 100% green electricity, generated as locally as possible. OG is currently working hard on expanding its network. 

All the available electric models can be found on our website under 'vehicles'.

Hydrogen is a harmless gas, the most abundant in the universe. This gas is converted to electricity with no CO2 emissions. This is because it is simply made from water. The chemical definition of pure water (which is purer than the water you try to ingest every day) consists of two parts, hydrogen, and oxygen (H2O). Through electrolysis (a process by which an electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change), you separate oxygen and hydrogen.

The moment hydrogen comes back into contact with oxygen, a large amount of energy is released. So much energy that cars can be driven on it. All of this, without any emissions. The only byproduct is water. When only green energy is used for electrolysis, such as win or solar energy, hydrogen is CO2 neutral. 

More information will follow shortly.

At present, most hydrogen vehicles are lease vehicles, public transport vehicles and taxis. This is because government procurement contracts are increasingly specifying clean vehicles. Long-distance transporters who can’t find a battery-electric solution often choose biogas or hydrogen.

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy is completely CO2 free. If it is used to generate electricity, clean water is the only emission. Hydrogen is also easy to store and transport. Renewable energy sources are therefore optimally utilised. In addition, hydrogen is literally everywhere, which makes it an exciting source of energy.

Hydrogen-driven vehicles are very clean and quiet. The range is also better than other clean fuels. You can drive an average of 500 to 650 kilometres with a hydrogen car. Additionally, filling up the tank only takes about 5 minutes, just as fast as with other fuels.

Hydrogen cars also enjoy a lower benefit-in-kind taxation rate:

This lower benefit-in-kind taxation also applies to battery-electric vehicles, but only up to a certain amount. Hydrogen vehicles aren’t subject to this limit, so the lower benefit-in-kind taxation rate applies to the entire purchase price. 

Fuel costs and the prices of hydrogen cars are expected to decrease in the coming years. 

Filling up with hydrogen is safe, as filling stations have to comply with strict regulations. Hydrogen is not inherently explosive. Even if hydrogen were to escape from the tank, the risk of fire or explosion is low and certainly not higher than with petrol or LPG, for example.

Filling up with hydrogen is pretty similar to filling up with other fuels, especially CNG/biogas. There are five public hydrogen filling stations in the Netherlands where you can fill up your vehicle. It is supplied at a pressure of 700 bar for passenger cars and 350 bar for buses and trucks.

At OG, you can simply fill up your vehicle with hydrogen using a normal card: debit card, fuel card, or even a credit card. 
The OG fuel card is free. However, other providers may require you to request a separate tag or your own fuel card. Check this with the relevant operator.

In Germany, there is a universal card for filling up, namely the H2 live fuel pass. https://h2.live/en/
 

All OG hydrogen filling stations are listed under ‘filling stations' on our website. For the complete network, go to: https://opwegmetwaterstof.nl/tanklocaties/ 

The tank-to-wheel emissions of a hydrogen car are zero. The well-to-wheel emissions depend on the origin of the hydrogen. Grey hydrogen is often made from natural gas, while green hydrogen is made using wind and solar energy.

Yes. This is absolutely possible. A small number of lease car suppliers now offer cars with factory-fitted hydrogen systems. 

Yes, you can. Many buses and trucks have already been converted. For example, installing a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender in an electric bus allows it to travel further with electric power, and the chassis of diesel trucks can be converted to a chassis fit for hydrogen. There are also companies that convert delivery vans and passenger cars to hydrogen. 

The number of hydrogen filling stations varies enormously from country to country. For example, Germany already has nearly 100, while in Belgium there are just 2. You can find all the filling stations outside the Netherlands at: https://h2.live/en/tankstellen

The hydrogen sold at OG stations is green, and we always have filling equipment for passenger cars (700 bar) and buses/trucks (350 bar). You can purchase your hydrogen at OG using conventional payment methods. This is not always the case with other providers where you have to request a separate tag or fuel card. Last but not least, we attach great importance to quality and continuity, so filling up at an OG station is always a positive experience. 

The range of a hydrogen car is approximately 500 to 650 km. Hydrogen systems are often custom-made for buses and trucks, therefore, the range depends on the size of the hydrogen tank installed.

There are currently two cars with factory-fitted systems, the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo. More information about these cars can be found under 'vehicles' on the website. Used hydrogen cars are also available, for more information, visit smartgreencars.nl.

HVO100 is the best clean replacement for diesel. HVO100 is produced from renewable, sustainable raw materials. The number '100' indicates it’s the pure form of HVO. For example, other suppliers also sell HVO20, a mix of diesel (80%) and HVO (20%).

The chemical composition of HVO100 is similar to conventional diesel fuel, which means engines and distribution systems can be left as standard.
 

Biodiesel: HVO100 is a biodiesel. Biodiesel is a fuel made from renewable, sustainable sources and can be used like regular diesel.

Blue diesel: This is also a biodiesel, but it’s blue, unlike HVO100, which is transparent. 

GTL: Gas to liquid is a fuel made from fossil sources, such as natural gas. Therefore, it is much less sustainable than HVO100. 

HVO100 is currently mainly used for trucks, buses, and coaches. HVO100 can be used in newer Euro 5/Euro 6 diesel trucks without modifications. HVO100 is also suitable for modern delivery vans, but it’s not always recommended by vehicle suppliers and may void the warranty, often because suppliers simply haven’t been able to carry out any tests yet. It is expected that the number of vehicles approved for HVO will rise.

OG HVO100 is made from residues, such as vegetable fats.This fuel is also purchased as locally as possible.

The advantage of HVO100 is that it can used in an existing Euro 5/Euro 6 truck without any modifications. HVO100 is also a circular fuel, which means it reduces CO2 emissions by almost 90%. 

A litre of HVO100 is not cheaper than a litre of diesel; on average, it costs an extra €0.15 excluding VAT. However, it can generate financial benefits if a client requires you to use clean fuel, as you don’t have to invest in new vehicles. The consumption and range of a truck running on HVO100 are the same as diesel.  

Yes, HVO100 vehicles are safe. HVO is comparable to diesel, including the safety characteristics. Delivery vans and passenger cars, however, may not be covered by the vehicle supplier’s warranty, often because suppliers simply haven’t been able to carry out any tests yet. It is expected that the number of vehicles approved for HVO will rise.

Filling up with HVO100 is exactly the same as filling up with diesel. It is still a new product, so it is not available everywhere yet. 

You can fill up with HVO100 at OG in Geesburg and Hoogeveen. OG intends to increase the number of sales points significantly in the short term. Keep an eye on our filling locations for the newest places you can fill up with HVO100. 

There are lots of different providers throughout the Netherlands. However, not everyone offers 100% HVO. Often, HVO20 or HVO50 are available, but these are mixed with fossil fuel diesel. 

HVO100 is made from renewable and sustainable raw materials, so emissions are almost 90% lower compared to diesel. Local emissions such as particulates, NOx, and sulphur oxides are almost non-existent. 

HVO100 is also available outside the Netherlands. As it is a relatively new product, a complete list of all HVO100 filling stations across Europe isn’t available yet.

OG currently has the lowest forecourt prices for HVO100. In addition, it’s a high-quality, clean product. It can be used to fill up existing trucks, resulting in a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions. 

HVO100 is suitable for newer Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel trucks. Delivery vans can also run on HVO100, but this isn’t always approved by the supplier.

The range of a truck running on HVO100 is the same as a truck running on diesel. 

LBG (liquefied biogas) is the sustainable variant of LNG (liquefied natural gas). LBG is mainly used for heavy transport, shipping, and off-grid applications.

OG doesn’t sell LBG at the moment. However, there are plans to purchase in bulk or produce it as locally as possible.

LBG is mainly used for trucks and coaches travelling long distances and shipping.

The range of an LBG vehicle is impressive. Some LBG trucks can even travel 1,500 km on a single tank. Filling up takes no longer than conventional fossil fuels. LBG is a clean fuel, which means 80% fewer CO2 emissions compared to diesel. Finally, the trucks make up to 50% less noise and vibration, which means loading and unloading is sometimes possible outside the hours fixed by many municipalities in the Netherlands for these tasks. All in all, good news for the health of drivers.

LBG trucks are more expensive. Depending on the distance travelled and the aforementioned advantages, the extra investment can be recovered. In fact, you can even save money by switching to LBG. If you’d like to find out more, please contact us.
 

Litre for litre, LBG is cheaper than diesel. Transporters can also save a considerable sum in Germany, as LBG trucks are exempt from Maut (German road tax)! These trucks are also 50% quieter, which means loading and unloading is sometimes possible outside the hours fixed by many municipalities in the Netherlands for these tasks. More and more clients demand clean transport, so an LBG vehicle qualifies you for their assignments. 

Yes, LBG vehicles are safe. An LBG/LNG vehicle has to comply with stringent safety requirements. A tank filled with LBG does not contain any oxygen. This is done to prevent any possibility of explosion or ignition. 

Drivers must receive training on how to fill a vehicle with LBG. Strict safety requirements apply to this process. Drivers must also use PPE such as safety glasses, cryogenic gloves, and closed footwear. They must also keep their arms and legs covered while filling up. This protective equipment keeps the driver safe when handling LBG at a temperature of -160 ºC. 

Filling up with LBG is different to filling up with normal fuel. Drivers must follow training on how to fill a vehicle with LBG first. OrangeGas will provide this training after the first filling stations open. 

Drivers must wear PPE such as safety glasses, cryogenic gloves, and closed footwear. 

There are currently very few places where you can fill up with LBG. However, several LNG suppliers have stated that they intend to start selling LBG soon. LBG and LNG can be used in the same truck. At the moment, the network of LNG filling stations can be found via the LNG Platform: https://www.nationaallngplatform.nl/waar-kunnen-trucks-lng-tanken/

The CO2 emissions of an LBG vehicle are up to 80% lower than those of a diesel vehicle. 

The infrastructure is constantly improving in the countries neighbouring the Netherlands. As a result, more and more transporters are switching to LNG/LBG. 

To see all the locations you can fill up outside the Netherlands, go to: https://www.ngva.eu/stations-map/ 

There are many different suppliers of well-known brands that supply LNG/LBG trucks and coaches. These are listed in our overview under vehicles. 

LBG is not normally used in passenger cars and delivery vans.
 

You can have your truck converted by adding a tank. With the secondary tank your truck can run on dual fuel (such as diesel and LBG). This isn’t a particularly popular option because nowadays you can purchase vehicles with factory-fitted LBG systems. The main advantage of LBG is the lower cost of fuel. The biggest benefits are obtained from trucks with factory-fitted LBG systems.

Depending on the tank capacity, an LBG truck can have a range of up to 1,500 km.