MOTORISTS who travel long distances daily should really consider converting their cars to run on natural gas. There are huge savings to be gained.
NGV (natural gas for vehicles) is the way to go, or is it?
Supporters of NGV (or CGV, compressed natural gas, as it is commercially known), say it may be one of the most cost-effective answers to soaring fuel prices.
But how much would an average driver save if he or she were to switch from using petrol to installing an NGV kit and running on gas?
Plenty, according to Dr Xander Thong, an installer and expert on NGV.
Based on calculations for the fuel consumption of a Proton Wira Aeroback 1.5, running on an engine with a carburettor, the average city driver can save between half and two-thirds of the monthly fuel bill, he said.
If the average distance travelled is 60km a day, this would mean that the petrol bill would be about RM558 a month at the current fuel price.
In contrast, running on NGV would cost the motorist only RM108 a month.
That would amount to savings of around RM450 a month, which could be used to off-set the initial cost of installing an NGV kit in under eight months.
With the incentive of a zero interest 12-month payment plan, which certain NGV installers are starting to offer, the savings could start almost immediately with the conversion.
The conversion cost of a Proton Wira Aeroback on a carburetted engine would be at the most RM3,500, or about RM292 per month.
Cost of gas per month would be RM108.
"If it were petrol, you would be spending RM558 per month. Your monthly conversion cost (RM292) and your NGV fuel cost (RM108) would only come up to RM400. Technically, you have already started saving," said Thong.
For electronic fuel injection (EFI) car models before 2003, the highest cost for conversion is RM4,500.
The monthly conversion cost at zero interest (RM375) plus the cost of gas per month (RM108) is RM483, still lower than the monthly petrol cost.
The highest conversion cost for the latest EFI car models is RM7,300, or a monthly cost of RM708, which would require a longer period to recoup the investment.
Ultimately, the more you travel, the more you save when you switch to NGV.
"It is definitely better for your pocket. Jimat, bersih dan selamat (You save, it's cleaner and it's safer)," said NGV installer Hishamuddin Zulkifly, who runs a motor workshop in Shah Alam.
Hishamuddin said a litre of petrol would take you about the same distance as an equivalent amount of NGV.
"Ultimately, you really do have to look at the price difference per litre."
There are complaints that NGV-powered vehicles tend to lose power going up parking ramps or uphill, but Thong said this normally amounted to only a five per cent loss which, after considering the savings, was acceptable.
As for complaints on the lack of availability of NGV stations and long queues there, Thong advised NGV users to know where the nearest stations were and fill up during off-peak hours. -NST
