C.N.G. move praised

Press, 26 November 1980, Page 27

C.N.G. move praised

PA Wellington The Government announcement on incentives for motorists to change to the use of CNG has been hailed by an industry source as “a major challenge to the industry and a significant step forward for New Zealand.”

Mr Leigh Cox, managing director of Repco New Zealand, Ltd, and chairman of Repco Fuel Equipment, Ltd, said that the $2OO Government grant to motorists converting to indigenous fuel was potentially “of vast importance to New Zealand.”

He said in a press statement: “Every vehicle converted to the use of CNG means a saving of thousands of dollars in overseas funds. “The latest Government announcement removes any past disincentives for motorists to change, and lays the onus on the industry to achieve the targets that the Government has set. “We accept that challenge, and will do everything in our power to ensure that ther are not bottlenecks created by equipment shortages.

• “New Zealand cannot ■ afford to continue to pay I huge oil import bills, and > this is a positive Government move to reduce our t dependence on overseas oil.” ’ Mr Cox said the an- ■ nouncement made it eco- ■ nomic for the private motor- ■ ist, as well as fleet oper- : ators, to change to the use of CNG. , And he said he hoped that i similar Government incent tives would be provided in , the future for conversion of ’ vehicles to LPG as this fuel • became more freely available.