Škoda Scala with natural gas: In beauty died

He is one of the last of its kind, the new Škoda Scala with natural-gas drive. Volkswagen had propagated exactly a year ago, during the "CNG Mobility Days" the technology of the future and an important part of the Decarbonisation, came in March, the turning point: the Volkswagen on the development of new models. As the group has in the natural gas cars, with a market share of 95 percent, therefore the market is dead. Only 0.4 percent of all new registrations were in the year 2019, with natural-gas drive. Since 2010, the number of gas stations declined. Despite government subsidies, the fuel is expensive. The driver of a gas car are the same problems as the electric cars: the tank before you start your journey on the Internet or via the App wanted. The range is from 250 to 350 km of low, possibly you have to take long detours.

Michael Spehr

editor in the Department "technology and Motor".

it's a Pity, if one has followed over the decades, the continuous improvements of a niche technology, from the lame-natural gas car with a narrow range to today's vehicles, the everyday life, are fully compatible, if you have a second large petrol tank on Board. Now we drove the Škoda Scala and enjoyed the lush place that makes you wonder, because the vehicle is only 4,36 metres long. Easily, we were able to stow away with a folded-back bench seat, the road bike without removing a tire. The natural gas variant is only with a single motorization available: The 1.0 G-Tec comes with a-Liter displacement and 90 HP. He has front wheel drive and only with a manual 6-speed gearbox is available.

The natural gas-Scala, the trunk volume is reduced, unfortunately, significantly from 467 to 339 liters, because the gas tanks need to be stored. Grasp of 13.8 kg. Abdominal pain prepares the monovalent drive. The petrol tank has only nine litres, so that one is practically forced to Go with natural gas.

The 1.0 G-Tec is only in the higher trim Ambition and Style series available, the cheapest starting price is 21 € 640. Compared to the same 1.0 TSI with 95 PS you have to pay a fee of 1200 Euro, and some features such as the virtual Cockpit in the G-Tec version is not available. Only a few Details of the skilled artisan will recognize, the natural gas vehicle: About the second gas-Nozzle below the tank cover and the two independent fuel gauges for petrol and natural gas in the Cockpit. The 118 kilogram increased empty weight of 1310 kilograms, will of course reduce the payload. The maximum CNG range is approximately 330 kilometers. Who's there fond of a lot of Gas and sporty on the road, must be already clear to the gas station.