C.N.G. conversion would save $150M

Press, 2 August 1985, Page 23

C.N.G. conversion would save $150M

PA Wellington Conversion to compressed natural gas could help the heavy transport industry cut its fuel bill by up to $l5O million a year, said the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard. The long journeys and large fuel consumption figures of trucks made the potential for saving very great, he told the C.N.G. Federation annual meeting in Auckland. The Ministry of Energy and the road transport industry was marketing a fuel management package for truck fleet operators with the aim of reaching that $l5O million saving. Mr Tizard said, that at the present rate of consumption, G.N.G. was substituting for 1.2 million barrels of petrol and diesel

each year. C.N’G. had saved New Zealand ?74 million in overseas exchange and was expected to save more than $550 million over the next five years. The distribution network round the North Island was now reaching more areas within Waikato, Northland, and Wairarapa. Mr Tizard said there had been two revisions of the Government’s C.N.G. incentive package. The first in October, 1984, had targetted assistance to areas of greatest need. The second last month tightened up the terms of the alternative fuels conversion loans scheme. A third, possible revision was still under consideration by the Government, he said.