KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia): One of the richest city councils in Malaysia is feeling the pinch of the recent fuel price hike.

To reduce fuel cost, City Hall will convert its 150 vehicles from petrol to natural gas vehicles (NGV).

Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan's vehicle was the first to be fitted with the NGV tank.

"With the installation of the NGV, we will be able to save RM70,000 a month," he said.

Presently, City Hall is spending an estimated RM1.5 million on petrol yearly.

Hakim added that the cost to install the NGV will be returned in 15 months.

The vehicles identified to be installed with NGV tanks are Nissan X-Trail 2.5L, Nissan X-Trail 2.0 L, Nissan Sentra 1.6L SG-L AT, Naza Ria and Mitsubishi Pajero V31.

Hakim said the present depot in Cheras for its vehicles to fuel up with petrol will be converted into an NGV station.

"It is not feasible for us to use the local petrol stations because of the traffic-jams there." he said.

Hakim added that City Hall currently has more than 1,500 vehicles. About 900 of them are running on diesel and 370 on petrol.

"The cost to install NGV tanks will range between RM5,000 and RM7,000. To fill up an NGV tank only costs RM14.

"This effort by City Hall to 'Go Green' will also help to reduce the green house gas emissions," he said.

Hakim said the public can play their part to reduce air pollution by converting their vehicles to NGV

City Hall's annual income is RM2 billion.