Autogas Market Insight from Around the World
By David Tyler, Director, WLPGA
The first half of 2010 has seen some good news on autogas developments - from the USA to France; from Europe (Brussels) to Japan; and from India to the Netherlands.
This edition of Autogas Updates shows that the industry in many countries is driving new and original initiatives with car manufacturers across the world; that we are becoming more focused in terms of the message and benefits of autogas and that more consumers are switching to the third transportation fuel.
The French LP Gas Association reports an incredible first half of 2010 with significant growth in registered autogas vehicles. Consumers have opted for autogas vehicles because of an ecological bonus offered by the government. There has also been increased communications around autogas focusing on the benefits to the environment and competitive pump pricing compared to the traditional automotive fuels. In Italy more than 170,000 autogas cars were registered in the first 4 months of 2010. Read more about the French market here.
In the U.S. Ferrellgas employees have taken a 5.4L V-8 Ford F-250 autogas vehicle on a cross-country tour as a way to promote green living. They started this initiative after they were among the first to add the ROUSH liquid propane injected Ford F-250 pickup truck to their alternative fuel fleet. They calculated that after 47,000 miles (75,000km) the ROUSH F-250 has produced approximately 5,954 lbs (approx. 2,700kg) less CO2 than its gasoline equivalent. Read more on this fun Ferrellgas initiative here.
The Propane and Research Council (PERC) has also been involved with the ROUSH project and many other strategic initiatives to bolster the market in the USA. Over the past few years, the US propane industry through PERC has invested millions of dollars in developing applications and vehicles to serve the fleet markets including commercial mowing, on-road medium duty, light duty, passenger car and school bus markets. Discover more on PERCs strategy by clicking this link: http://www.worldlpgas.com/gain/autogas-is-best/increasing-demand-for-autogas-in-the-us/
At the annual ‘Propane Days’ event that took place in Washington D.C. from 7-9 June 2010, Alliance Autogas President Stuart Weidie unveiled “Autogas for America”. The initiative aims to convince companies operating American vehicle fleets to switch to autogas instead of using gasoline and aims to bring together autogas experts, environmental advocates and transportation-industry specialists. The core goals of “Autogas for America” are to put together a strong network of stakeholders, encourage American fleets to adopt autogas, and educate the U.S. media, public and government about the fuel and its benefits. “Autogas for America” offers a new direction for the autogas industry in the USA according to the NPGA (National Propane Gas Association) CEO Rick Roldan. For more information on 'Propane Days', the US industry's most important legislative outreach program click here.
In the Netherlands, Ford recently launched 4 new models running on autogas in a joint effort with BP to raise awareness of autogas. See the article here.
In Japan an initiative has been running with all 27,000 retailers in the country ensuring that each vehicle retailer will introduce an autogas car at least every three years. Please click this link for more information on the Japanese autogas dynamic: http://www.worldlpgas.com/gain/autogas-is-best/a-new-initiative-by-the-japanese-lp-gas-industry/
India, with an estimated 1.5 million autogas vehicles in the country, clocked an impressive growth rate of 28% last year. Autogas consumption touched 318,000 Tonnes in the year in India. Close to 900 stations are operational across the country, spread over 400 cities, making autogas the most widely available cleaner, alternative vehicle fuel. Read more on Indian growth here.
Good news also comes from the regulators in the EU for its 27 member states: Autogas is and will be eligible for inclusion in schemes designed to support the proliferation of clean and efficient vehicles, both at European level and in each individual Member State. See article for more information on this issue.
This series of success stories from countries across the world shows autogas remains an important segment for the industry and is also a major contributor to reducing emissions and creating a more competitive driving experience for motorists.
Behind the initiatives is a determination to reduce national dependence on foreign oil, reduce CO2 emissions and create a ‘here and now’ clean competitive alternative transportation fuel to gasoline and diesel. Governments continue to support with incentives and manufacturers develop new low cost vehicles.
For information on GAIN (Global Autogas Industry Network) and other global industry autogas projects at the World LP Gas Association, please contact David Tyler on dtyler@worldlpgas.com
If you have an initiative or otherinformation to share with us on the global autogas dynamic, please send the article to David Tyler.
