A simple way to dramatically reduce current vehicle emissions and provide greater domestic fuel security is to switch away from oil-based fuels to gas, according to Gas Energy Australia (GEA).
GEA CEO John Griffiths said Australia has well established and extensive gas vehicle refuelling infrastructure; has been a world leader in the development and deployment of gas vehicle technology; 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,” Mr Griffiths said.
“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.”
Mr Griffiths said Australia’s significant gas reserves 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,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Griffiths said switching just a proportion of Australia’s transport and other energy uses from oil to abundant Australian gases would 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.