Austrian oil and gas company OMV announced it will begin closing 10 of its 28 compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel stations in Austria starting this summer, citing low demand and poor profitability. The decision follows OMV’s recent move to shut down all public hydrogen refuelling stations in the country for similar reasons.
According to OMV, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) remain a niche segment in Austria, with just 4,350 registered NGVs out of more than 7.4 million vehicles on the road. The company said this limited adoption undermines the business case for maintaining its full network of CNG stations.
“The limited acceptance of natural gas technology compared to other alternative forms of propulsion makes it necessary to close unprofitable refuelling points,” said Michal Kubinec, Head of OMV’s petrol station business. “We are continuously monitoring the Austrian mobility market and do not expect the trend to reverse.”
The closures come as OMV accelerates its investments in electric mobility. In 2023, the company launched a new charging infrastructure subsidiary, eMotion, to expand its presence in the EV charging sector. OMV Petrom, its Romanian subsidiary, also made a strategic acquisition last year to become Romania’s largest provider of EV charging services.
OMV’s transition reflects a broader industry trend as oil and gas companies diversify into more sustainable energy solutions in response to shifting consumer preferences and tightening emissions regulations.
