NEWS

News published on: Mar 7, 2008

Yarra Ranges to reduce fleet emissions

The council investigated a range of options for reducing the fleet’s environmental impact including biodiesel, hybrid electric and hydraulic heavy vehicle technology, before settling on road transport gas (RTG) from gas conversion company LP GAS 1.

Using the RTG system on an Isuzu FVR950 chipper truck, council fleet manager John Ovcaric said they recorded a reduction of 15 litres in fuel consumption per 100 kilometres travelled and a reduction in greenhouse emissions of 0.36 grams per kilometre.

Over 6 years and 120,000 kilometres this will equate to a fuel saving of about $22,000 and a reduction in emissions of 43.31 tonnes, Ovcaric said.

As a signatory to ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – Cities for Climate Protection, Ovcaric said the council had a commitment to explore alternative fuel solutions to meet its goal of being carbon neutral by end of the year.

“This new technology is a quantum leap forward that hasn’t been attempted elsewhere, and which we will adopt across almost the entire fleet,” said Ovcaric.

Other councils are moving to reduce the greenhouse emissions associated with their fleets. Maribyrnong City Council in north-west Melbourne set a goal in January to reduce oil use by 3% annually in council operations starting in 2008/09 and an ultimate 2025 target to cut oil use by 50%.

In March last year, Brisbane City Council released the report A Call for Action that proposed a target of 50% reduction of oil use by 2026. And Marrickville Council in Sydney's inner west has also agreed to adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol, reducing the use of oil-based products within council operations by 3% per year.

News published on: Dec 20, 2007

BETTER SERVICE COMES STANDARD AT TULLAMARINE LPG WORKSHOP

The growing demand for LPG-powered motor vehicles has highlighted the need for better sales and service of LPG conversion kits.

That’s the view of Kris Degenhardt, the proprietor of one of Australia’s newest and most professional LPG workshops.

Mr Degenhardt recently opened his new workshop in the northern Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine – the latest branch of the growing LPGAS1 chain, which is the southern hemisphere’s largest privately-owned LPG conversion company.

“What we’re offering is an antidote to the usual dingy garage. We’re providing a clean, well-run operation, staffed by specialists who take the time to listen to customers and explain the technology and its benefits for them,” said Mr Degenhardt.

The Tullamarine workshop is the first greenfield LPGAS1 branch in Australia. As such, it is a model for similar stores around the country in the future.

“We worked closely with the team at LPGAS1 to establish an LPG workshop that sets the standard – and I think we’ve done that,” Mr Degenhardt said.

“While some people wishing to convert to LPG will be swayed by a rock-bottom price, our customers are more interested in service and good after-sales care.”
 

Mr Degenhardt said LPGAS1 offered technical support, reliable supply and product continuity, allowing his team to deliver a better quality result to the customer.

“For example, I’ve seen a workshop where three different same-model Falcons all had their LPG system wired into the engine bay differently.

“That makes things very difficult from an after-sales servicing point of view.

“In contrast, the LPGAS1 systems come with prefabricated wiring looms designed so that there is only one, correct, way they can be installed.

“That’s the confidence you get from dealing with these systems.”

Mr Degenhardt said workshops needed to recognise that converting a car to LPG represented a major investment by customers.

“Since the introduction of the Federal Government’s LPG conversion scheme in August 2006, a lot more middle income families have become interested in the financial and environmental savings available through running a car on gas,” he said.

At current price differentials between Autogas and unleaded petrol, a Holden Commodore driver travelling 20,000 kilometres a year on Autogas would save approximately $1500 per year – the equivalent of about $30 per week.

“But even with the weekly savings and the federal conversion rebate, motorists contemplating conversion need reassurance that they are in skilled, professional hands,” said Mr Degenhardt.

LPGAS1 conversions are backed by a three year/100,000 kilometre warranty and include a free 1500 kilometre check-up and adjustment after installation.

Most LPGAS1 systems feature the latest gas injection technology for better performance, reliability and fuel economy.

“LPGAS1 is big enough to devote resources to research and development and it is leading the way with state-of-the-art LPG kits for a wide range of current models on the Australian car market,” Mr Degenhardt said.

News published on: Dec 20, 2007

Better Service
Better Services comes from good approah of work