Liquigas launches cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol

Liquigas Malta this morning launched Auto Liquigas fuel - "a cheaper and cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel", according to Liquigas Malta CEO Roberto Capelluto.

Autogas is the term used to describe LPG used as an automotive fuel. LPG is primarily derived during the extraction of natural gas and oil, and is also produced in refineries.

Capelluto was speaking during the launch held at the first fuelling station, Top Car, at Malta International Airport in Luqa - the first filling auto gas station to have been installed. Other fuelling stations are to be installed in other areas in the near future.

"This is a new page in the story of transport in Malta. As a leader in the LPG gas industry, Liquigas believes that its major investment in Auto Liquigas will be contributing to a much cleaner environment while reducing running costs for existing petrol- and diesel-fuelled vehicle owners," Capelluto said.

As from today, the fuel is available for those cars which are or will be eventually converted, enabling car owners to use the automotive fuel.

Capelluto urged those wishing to convert their vehicles to use certified and authorised autogas mechanics only since the conversion is a rather complex one and that only professional mechanics should handle.

Present at the launch were Environment Minister George Pullicino, Liquigas's chief operating officer Paul Agius Delicata, chief financial officer Stephen Muscat, technical manager Robert Bonavia and sales and marketing manager Jesmar Mifsud.

The minister said that this initiative halves carbon monoxide emissions and the cost of running a car that runs on petrol and diesel.

At today's prices, Auto Liquigas is much cheaper than petrol or diesel, with the selling price of Autogas Liquigas in Malta currently being O.75 euro cents per litre, 50% cheaper than unleaded petrol and 46% cheaper than diesel.

There is however a one time expense in order to be able to use this type of gas fuel. The LPG conversion results in a duel-fuel car that can either run on LPG or petrol at the flick of a button, even whilst driving. The device will be fitted on the dashboard and the cost of the LPG conversion is estimated to be between 700 and 1,300 euros, depending on the vehicle being converted. The initial cost for the conversion will result in lower running costs though.

The initiative is safe and widely used in European countries such as Italy, Poland and Germany.

"In Italy alone there are 1,002,118 vehicles installed with this type of system and using autogas, with 2,350 dispensing sites," according to Capelluto.

Minister Pullicino said that due to the volatile fuel prices and concerns over supply, air quality, and climate change, and to contribute to the European Union's efforts to reduce carbon dioxide by 20% by 2020, this initiative was very good for Malta.

Capelluto meanwhile urged government to set an example and consider the installation of the system in all public service vehicles.

Pullicino took the opportunity to mention Liquigas's investment in a gas storage plant at Benghisa which will allow it to store larger consignments of cylinders.

Gasco Energy, the sister company of Liquigas Malta, has completed the installation of six large and purposely built liquid petroleum gas storage tanks as part of its €20 million investment in a new LPG facility being built at Bengħajsa - which would replace Enemalta's Qajjenza gas plant.

Pullicino said that "a Labour administration had irresponsibly built a gas plant in Qajjenza - a ticking time bomb which has endangered the lives of its residents for all these years. Liquigas's new plant will lead to the total removal of Qajjenza's plant, eliminating all the risks the plant had due to its location".

Liquigas, which is the dominant gas provider in Malta, today has 75% of the market. Its competitor Easygas has the rest of the market.