Liquigas launches third autogas fuelling station

LPG importer Liquigas continues to keep its promise to price its AutoLiquigas at 50% that of petrol.

Liquigas CEO Roberto Capelluto today launched the third AutoLiquigas fuelling station at Wembley Service Station in St Andrew's where he said users were constantly saving up to 50% on fuel costs for using their converted cars.

This benefit, together with the incentive scheme launched by government last year and extended till December 2014, has already led to the conversion of more than 450 car cars since the launch of AutoLiquigas in May 2012.

"The increase in volumes, both the number of conversion requests and the authorized conversion kits installers are sending a clear message from the Maltese market: Maltese consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of this source of alternative fuel," Capelluto said.

AutoLiquigas is much cheaper than petrol or diesel. With the current selling price of AutoLiquigas in Malta at €0.72 per litre, it is half the price of petrol (currently at €1.44), and 53% cheaper than diesel (currently at €1.36). Car conversions are particularly cost effective for those car owners who use their vehicles daily.

Environment minister Leo Brincat and energy minister Konrad Mizzi were present for the launch of the autogas station.

"Since the launch of AutoLiquigas twenty months ago, there has been already a reduction of approximately 120 tons of CO₂ per annum, together with significant reductions in NOx (nitrous oxide) and particulate matter. These reductions are set to increase in line with the increase in the number of cars converted to use AutoLiquigas," Liquigas representative Paul Agius Delicata said.

"It is clear that cars are the main producers of air pollution in Malta. A reduction of such pollutants through the increased use of AutoLiquigas has a direct positive benefit on public health and well being, leading to a lesser necessity in public health expenditure to cure diseases resulting from air pollution. In turn, this public money can be directed towards other necessary and more pressing public health purposes."

The first AutoLiquigas fuelling station was opened in 2012 at Malta International Airport service station, while the second one was launched in June 2013 at Għajn Buqana, limits of Rabat.  Liquigas Malta is already working towards installing an AutoLiquigas dispenser in Gozo.

Capelluto invited the government to give a strong example by converting to autogas the public transport including buses, taxis, ambulances, as well as the vehicles used by government.

In Europe, cities like London, Valladolid (110 buses using LPG), Vienna (550 buses using LPG for the past 15 years), Copenhagen (180 buses using LPG), Madrid, Brussels (the Municipality's car fleet) all make use of autogas, while in Tokyo 250,000 taxis are obliged to run on autogas. Liquigas is prepared to collaborate with the Authorities to make Malta another example of clean fuel user, starting from its public transportation.

Vehicle LPG conversions are being carried out by four authorised autogas installers. LPG conversion results in a dual-fuel car - that is, a car that can run on either LPG or petrol at the flick of a switch, even while driving. A switching device is fitted on the dashboard to allow the driver to select between petrol and LPG. The cost of an LPG conversion is between €700 and €1,200, depending on the vehicle being converted.

However, the initial cost for conversion can be recouped via lower running costs, as one can save up to 50% on fuel costs. As LPG is much cleaner fuel, there is less wear and tear on the car's engine and its life will be prolonged.

Autogas fuelled vehicles generate 14% less CO₂ emissions than their petrol equivalents. Autogas already powers more than seven million vehicles across Europe, representing 3% of its car fleet, and almost 17 million vehicles worldwide. By 2020, it is expected that the European car population using autogas will hit 10%.