Gas meets new vehicle emission standards affordably and now

1 June 2018

Gas Energy Australia (GEA) today stated that one of the simplest ways to dramatically reduce current vehicle emissions - as well as provide greater domestic fuel security - was to switch away from oil-based fuels to gas.

GEA CEO John Griffiths said that Australia has well established and extensive gas vehicle refuelling infrastructure, has been a world leader in the development and deployment of gas vehicle technology, including the new LPG Autogas Centre of Excellence which opened in Melbourne last year - and has significant reserves of LPG and natural gas.

"We have recently heard from the car industry that some of our most popular vehicles may be removed from the market or face increased charges as part of new vehicle emission standards being considered by the Federal Government. This doesn't have to be the case.

"Gas-powered vehicles are already helping car manufacturers meet tough European CO2 emission standards and the same could easily be done here in Australia.

"Converting our cars and trucks to gas would significantly reduce carbon emissions by up to an incredible 25 per cent - which is not only better for our environment but would also cut motorists' running costs" said Mr Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths added that Australia had significant gas reserves that could provide gaseous fuels - like LNG, CNG and LPG - that can be used for transport with current technology and also for off-grid power generation and many industrial uses.

"A range of passenger, commuter and long-haul road transport, trains and ships can already use these fuels - either alone or as part of hybrid technology. And it's ludicrous that many off-grid communities and offshore islands in pristine fragile environments use largely imported and highly polluting oil-based fuels like diesel" said Mr Griffiths.

Switching just a proportion of Australia's transport and other energy uses from oil to abundant Australian gases would also significantly reduce the need to build expensive oil reserves, increase our domestic fuels security and help insulate Australia from current events in the Middle East.

"Australia needs to avoid the madness of becoming increasingly dependent on foreign oil imports, which are transported from and through some of the most dangerous places on earth, for 90% of our needs."

"And of course, producing gaseous fuels here and developing the niche manufacturing that comes with it also provides Australian jobs - while importing oil from offshore refineries only produces offshore jobs" said Mr Griffiths.

More information about Australian gaseous fuels can be found here.

Media contact: John Griffiths 0439 344 622

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View GEA Fact Sheet Natural Gas Fuels (CNG & LNG)

View GEA Fact Sheet Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)