Victoria confirms a $2.5 million grant to EVOL LNG to help fund construction of five new refuelling points
July 27, 2012
Victoria’s natural gas network is set to expand dramatically, with the Victorian government confirming a $2.5 million grant to EVOL LNG to help fund construction of five new refuelling points.
Minister for Ports and Major Projects Denis Napthine committed the money under the Regional Development Victoria (RDV) scheme.
Napthine says current LNG infrastructure for commercial vehicles in Victoria is limited and further expansion of the necessary infrastructure requires investment.
“We need to establish a statewide network that will eventually lead to a greater investment in LNG vehicles and refuelling infrastructure,” he says.
“As a transport fuel, LNG provides us with the opportunity to significantly reduce particulate, CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions, compared with traditional transport fuels.”
Kleenheat Gas General Manager Graham Smith says the first refuelling station will be built in Wodonga due to growing customer demand and the volume of north-south transport traffic using the Hume Highway.
“There are many benefits to using LNG as a transport fuel but a hindrance to greater uptake of the technology has been a lack of refuelling infrastructure,” Smith says.
“Establishing refuelling stations is a costly exercise with considerable upfront investment required before costs can eventually be recouped, EVOL LNG is therefore extremely grateful for the support shown by the Victorian Government in helping to get the initiative up and running.”
