New Autogas demand study released in Australia

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The Autogas Vehicle Demand Study by the Australian consulting firm ABMARC found that autogas vehicles could meet future demand for vehicles that deliver reduced carbon and noxious emissions, as well as lower operating costs.

The jointly funded study by the Victorian Government, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), built a strong case for investment in Autogas facilities able to convert and manufacture vehicles that would be able to meet existing and latent demand from fleet operators. VACC, GEA and Australian Taxi Industry Association (ATIA) welcomed the release of the study and agree with the need for a prompt business case analysis of such facilities, given the nearing end for the Australian production of new LPG vehicles.

An Autogas manufacturing plant would help protect local jobs through automotive innovation, by delivering products that improve the environmental impact and on road costs of Australian vehicles.

The study recommendations are further bolstered by the findings of a six-month Melbourne trial of cutting-edge SVI LPG hybrid engines. The trial of 13CABS taxis equipped with the latest LPG engines found carbon reduction of 14.5% when compared with the petrol-electric hybrid.

“There are approximately 3,600 Australians qualified to work on Autogas vehicles, with almost 1,700 of them in Victoria. The study paves the way to an LPG conversion and manufacturing plant that can advantage of the potential demand and safeguard automotive jobs,” said GEA’s CEO, John Griffiths. “This study shows that Autogas vehicles can play a major role in meeting the nation’s transport needs, while contributing to a cleaner and more secure energy future.”

“The study found the 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,” commented VACC’s CEO, Geoff Gwilym. “The plant would create downstream opportunities for businesses that service the manufacturing industry.”

Read the full press release here.