News Update Liquigaz launches dual-fuel test kits for bus companies

Liquigaz Philippines Corp. on Thursday launched a pilot test for its dual-fuel kits in several bus companies, using diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The initiative will enable Liquigaz to widen business opportunities in the country including the alternative use of LPG in transportation, Santanu Guha, Liquigaz president and managing director, told reporters at the launch in conjunction with the Energy Department’s National Energy Consciousness Month. According to Liquigaz, it will supply bus companies with diesel-auto LPG kits. HM Transport Inc., CHER Transport Corp., Joyselle Express Inc., MENCORP Transport System, Inc., and Nova Auto Transport Inc. will each get conversion kits from Liquigaz at no cost. Each kit is valued at P150,000. But the bus companies must give Liquigaz performance data from the participating buses twice a month, including consumption, mileage, drivers’ evaluation and overall performance of the buses. The kits use technology now widely used in Australia, and is expected to register up to 10 percent savings in fuel consumption, according to the Liquigaz official. Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the department will ensure that the technology is safe and conforms to government standards before. "We want to finish the pilot program first before we can roll it out to other parts of the country. We hope that this will be an effective alternative fuel as this will be more economical since LPG is cheaper," Almendras said. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Netherlands-based SHV Energy, Liquigaz accounts for 31 percent of Philippine LPG requirement. Among its customers are Mariwasa, Asia Brewery, Mc Donald’s, ChowKing, SM North Edsa, Max's Restaurants, and Andok's Litson. — VS