The recent Autogas Vehicle Demand Study has found that autogas vehicles could meet future demand for vehicles that deliver reduced carbon and noxious emissions, as well as lower operating costs. The study built a strong case for investment in autogas facilities able to convert and manufacture vehicles with the ability to meet existing and latent demand from fleet operators.
The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), Gas Energy Australia (GEA) and Australian Taxi Industry Association (ATIA) agree with the need for a prompt business case analysis of autogas facilities, due to the nearing end for the Australian production of new autogas vehicles. The organisations believe that an autogas manufacturing facility would help protect local jobs through automative innovation, by delivering products that improve the environmental impact and on-road costs of Australian vehicles.
“Cumulative demand for autogas vehicles over the next seven years could be between 160,000 and 430,000 vehicles, depending on vehicle availability along with government environmental and fuel tax policies,” said Geoff Gwilym, CEO of VACC.
According to ATIA CEO Blair Davies, the taxi industry is well positioned to be an early adopter of new autogas vehicle technologies, with 500 autogas taxis already in operation.
“The latest LPG hybrid engines have delivered Co2 savings of 1.76 tonnes per taxi, while reducing vehicle operating costs,” he said.
“For anyone who cares about the environment and global warming, grabbing an LPG hybrid cab just makes more sense.”
Davies’ comment refers to the findings of a six-month Melbourne trial of SVI LPG hybrid engines. The trial of 13CABS taxis equipped with the latest autogas engines found carbon reductions of 14.5 per cent when compared with the petrol-electric hybrid.