see also
Today Online, 29 Jul 05
Reconsider diesel option Diesel vehicles burn less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide
Letter from Lee Keen Yoong

Today Online, Voices, 25 Jul 05
Island nation with a lesson for S'pore
Letter by Anna Ip

Today Online, 21 Jul 05
Cheaper than petrol – and greener
by Charles Tan news@newstoday.com.sg

Both drivers' wallets – and the environment – would benefit from Govt-legislated LPG use

WHENEVER I return to Singapore, the moment I step out of Changi Airport, the acrid smell of air pollution hits my nostrils. Fortunately, the body is smart and quick to adapt after only a few days.

More than 25 years ago, after my first visit to Australia — where taxis commonly use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — I incorporated a company called LPG Conversion Pte Ltd with the hope of introducing LPG in taxis in Singapore.

If memory serves, my proposal was rejected on the grounds that we did not have the know-how to install and operate LPG-propelled vehicles. Besides, the sanctioning authority said, it would be highly dangerous in the event of collisions, with the risk of the LPG tanks exploding.

Today, the situation should be completely different. Singapore should have the expertise to enter the gas conversion market for vehicles, as the technology is now more advanced with improved safety features. The Government could easily regulate all LPG-operated vehicles to ensure the strictest safety criteria are met.

LPG is a hydrocarbon fuel comprising propane, butane or propylene either separately or as a blend. It is non-corrosive, non-polluting, non-toxic, lead-free and more abundant than fossil fuels.

LPG is environmentally friendly and known as "the Green Fuel" (see table). It is also proven to maintain high performance and is an economical alternative to petrol — using it reduces not only fuel costs, but also engine wear and, ultimately, maintenance costs. It has virtually the same power yield as petrol.

LPG fuel burns like a barbecue jet and, contrary to popular belief, is does not explode as with motor vehicle accidents involving petrol. In fact, studies so far have shown that LPG-fuelled vehicles are as safe, if not safer, than those powered by petrol.

There are more than 12,000 taxis and 500,000 fleet and private vehicles powered by LPG in Australia. Yet reports of exploding gas tanks due to collisions are rare.

With escalating petrol prices, the depletion of world oil reserves and the ever-increasing need to stretch our dollars, converting to LPG is the way to go. Owners of LPG vehicles can expect to lower fuel costs by between 40 and 60 per cent. The initial and one-off expense for conversion from petrol to gas — which is between A$1,500 and A$2,000 ($1,900 — $2,500) in Australia — is recouped after driving 20,000 to 35,000 kilometres. The price of LPG at Australian pumps is now around 42 Australian cents per litre, compared to A$1.06 for standard unleaded petrol.

And with more motorists demanding LPG vehicles, more major manufacturers are producing them, including Vauxhall, Ford, Citroen, Daihatsu, Fiat and Nissan. There are more than nine million LPG-powered vehicles operating worldwide, with South Korea leading the field.

To encourage the conversion from petrol to LPG, the Singapore Government could subsidise this or not impose excise on LPG. . It could also regulate that all public vehicles — buses and taxis — be converted to LPG within a set time.

Petrol stations could easily install LPG tanks either as pre-assembled or self contained units (skid units), or fixed underground or aboveground tanks. As LPG dispensers and petrol or diesel pumps operate in a similar way, it would be easy for motorists to adapt.

Singapore is a small country and the air quality is an important health issue. More could be done to ensure a healthier living environment and the participation of the governing bodies is essential.

The writer, a Singaporean, lives in Perth, where he is a consultant to a law firm.

Today Online, Voices, 25 Jul 05
Island nation with a lesson for S'pore
Letter by Anna Ip

If Mauritius can run on LPG, why not Lion City?

I am writing in response to Mr Charles Tan's commentary, "Cheaper than petrol — and greener" (July 21).

I would like to state that I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Tan. I am a permanent resident here, originally from Mauritius. My country of origin has many vehicles that are very old and the smoke emitted by those vehicles is as black as a crow.

Initially, I thought that Singapore wasn't so bad as only a few vehicles emit black smoke. But no black smoke doesn't mean no pollution. I have since found that the air back home is still fresher in some ways. The last time I went home, my uncle took me around in his car. It is powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). I wouldn't have known the difference had I not taken a look when he opened the back of the car to load the groceries. There was this big tank, longer than a cooking gas tank but slimmer, fitted inside. More and more petrol stations in Mauritius now provide LPG.

So I wonder, if a developing country such as Mauritius has introduced LPG vehicles, then why not Singapore? With the advanced technology and infrastructure available here, I am sure LPG vehicles would be a hit and would help reduce air pollution and the cost to vehicle owners of operating their cars.

The initial cost to convert to LPG may sound extravagantly high, but think of the long-term savings. My uncle used to complain a lot about how expensive petrol was. I've hardly heard anything on that subject since he bought his new car two years ago.

Perhaps Singapore could start by introducing LPG-powered vehicles to new buyers and slowly phase out petrol-powered ones. Public vehicles should also be converted to LPG. If it made such a move, the Government would pave the way for private vehicle owners to follow suit.

Not only would drivers save on fuel, they would also contribute to conservation efforts and put Singapore on the list of countries that support a greener future. The earth's natural resources are exhaustible, so this is the fuel of tomorrow. Please, think about the future. .

Anna Ip

Today Online, 29 Jul 05
Reconsider diesel option Diesel vehicles burn less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide
Letter from Lee Keen Yoong

WE AT Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd were delighted to read Mr Charles Tan's commentary, "Cheaper than petrol — and greener" (July 21), and Ms Anna Ip's letter, "Island nation with a lesson for S'pore" (July 25).

As the world's largest automotive supplier, the Bosch group believes in creating a cleaner environment and we are encouraged by people like Mr Tan and Ms Ip, who show concern for the environment.

LPG is one way to go. However, there is another alternative — diesel and diesel-powered vehicles. With the introduction of Euro IV emission standards for new diesel vehicles in Singapore by October 2006, the Government hopes to control the PM2.5 pollutants (or fine particulate matter finer than 2.5 microns in size) in the air.

Diesel engines, especially the new Euro IV diesel engines, would provide motorists with an economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to what is currently available. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, diesel vehicles burn on average 30 per cent less fuel and produce 25 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than petrol vehicles, and recent advances in diesel technology have significantly reduced the noise and improved the driveability and performance of modern diesel vehicles.

The existing infrastructure available for diesel at petrol stations does not pose a cost issue. All these facts make diesel vehicles extremely attractive to drivers.

European drivers have appreciated the value of diesel vehicles for many years. Today, a good 43 per cent of vehicles sold in Europe are diesel and the figure for some countries like France and Austria have exceeded 65 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.

Here in Singapore, the high taxes imposed on diesel passenger cars in comparison to petrol vehicles makes diesel cars uncompetitive in the open market.

This is something the motor industry, the environmental groups, oil companies and environment-friendly companies like Bosch, and of course, the Government can seriously re-look at and come to a common understanding on.

Letter from LEE KEEN YOONG
General Manager, Sales
Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com