Rainer Zietlow and Franz Janusiewicz had just completed the first gas-powered circumnavigation of the world when they set out on their next ambitious tour.
To mark the opening of the 800th natural gas station in Germany in January 2009 and the launch of the new Passat TSI EcoFuel, they decided to visit all CNG stations in Germany in less than 80 days.
They were supported by the German CNG agency "Gibgas.de". From January 7 to March 27, 2009, they visited 810 stations and traveled 23,731 kilometers.
Compared to a conventional fuel-operated vehicle, they saved more than 1,000 kg of CO₂. The CNG Germany Tour began at a CNG station in Irschenberg, southern Bavaria, and concluded at a CNG station in Westerland, Sylt Island.
A team at TU Dortmund University spent several weeks planning the route, which was designed to find the ideal path through the German road network. Zietlow and Januczewicz also surveyed gas station operators and CNG drivers about their opinions on CNG and created a new CNG map of Germany during their tour.
After completing the project, Rainer Zietlow donated 10 euro cents for every kilometer driven to the SOS Children's Village in Dießen am Ammersee. He also visited the village in person.
