Archive, Product News

Leading car engineer wants Australian drivers to get on the gas

One of Australia's most renowned automotive engineers says the Federal Government should continue to encourage consumers to convert their vehicles

One of Australia’s most renowned automotive engineers says the Federal Government should continue to encourage consumers to convert their vehicles to run on LPG Autogas.

Dr Laurie Sparke OAM says looming fuel supply issues and the potential for significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions make LPG the best alternative fuel option for Australia in the immediate future.

Dr Sparke, who was formerly the director of innovation at GM Holden, says encouraging more motorists to use LPG would reduce Australia’s growing oil imports and also provide considerable environmental benefits.

“The Federal Government should firstly encourage consumers to convert to LPG use and secondly encourage the development of new technology to achieve the 13 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions which is available from the use of this fuel,” he says.

The LPG Vehicle Scheme provides a $1000 grant to purchase a factory built LPG vehicle or $2000 to convert an existing diesel or petrol vehicle to run on LPG.

Since the scheme was introduced in August 2006 an estimated 120,000 Australians have changed to LPG motoring.

Dr Sparke says tightening global oil supplies, increasing demand and falling domestic oil production means Australia faces a serious supply crunch within the next five years.

He says LPG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), derived from natural gas production, are the best alternatives.

“Australia has large reserves of LPG and natural gas which are, as yet, under-utilised and we should be taking leadership in the development of gas fuel and vehicle technologies to exploit that supply.”

“Other fuel alternatives, such as the large-scale production of bio-fuels, will have unintended negative environmental effects.

“Ethanol will be limited to use as a low-percentage petrol extender in Australia because of the huge areas of land cultivation required.”

Dr Sparke said LPG conversion was also the best alternative for short-haul trucks, many of which used old engine technology with poor emissions performance.

He said old cars were also excellent candidates for LPG conversion.

“In Victoria, for example, the average age of cars on the road is 11 years and many use old engine technology and are poorly maintained,” said Dr Sparke.

“Simply mandating the replacement of old cars with new, more efficient ones would be inequitable and unaffordable – and the greenhouse emissions caused by making those cars would exacerbate an already critical greenhouse situation.

“Converting older vehicles in the national fleet to LPG is the better solution.”

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend