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The next step in Holden's alternative fuel strategy, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), was the subject of a national conference yesterday and Holden's energy and environment director Richard Marshall said there was a need for more consumer acceptance of LPG and the benefits of using a locally-available alternative fuel.
Mr Marshall also detailed the car maker's plans for a dedicated LPG Commodore model later this year as part of the LPG Australia national conference in Canberra.
"This puts our country in a unique position to take advantage of our abundant LPG resources and to provide more affordable transportation into the future," he said.
Mr Marshall said LPG currently accounts for around 6 per cent of our national transport fuel usage.
"LPG offers drivers significant benefits - including reduced running costs and a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 15 per cent, when compared to driving on petrol," Mr Marshall said.
Later this year, Holden will launch the new LPG system - likely to start with the V8 - following on from Holden Special Vehicles' use of a new dual-fuel direct-injection liquified LPG system. Holden launched its E85 ethanol-blend fuel system for the Commodore as part of the VE Series II model update late last year as part of its alternative fuel strategy.
The conference theme "LPG...an Exceptional Energy - Investing in Australia's Future" and is examining issues surrounding the LPG industry. LPG Australia figures show Australia's LPG fleet of 600,000 vehicles is the fifth largest in the world and Australia ranks third highest per capita in the world in gas consumption.
"Holden's strategy to reduce Australia's dependence on petroleum consists of two pillars - energy efficiency and energy diversity. This puts our country in a unique position to take advantage of our abundant LPG resources and to provide more affordable transportation into the future," Mr Marshall said.
Ford has produced dedicated LPG Falcon models since 2000 and is also expected to release a liquified LPG system for its flagship later this year. As much as $2000 can be received by LPG car buyers as part of a government rebate scheme to encourange the use of LPG.
The grants for buying LPG vehicles or installing aftermarket conversions will be capped from July 1 at 25,000 claims for each financial year as part of cost-cutting measures to fund rebuilding in Queensland after the recent floods. A rebate of $2000 on LPG Vehicles is available for eligible private vehicle purchasers until June, 2014; rebates for LPG conversions of registered vehicles until June 30, 2011 is $1250.
Five local companies have joined forces to for EV Engineering to build prototypes of Australia's first modern large electric car, using $3.5 million from the now-closed Green Car Innovation Fund. The consortium is made up of automotive components suppliers Air International, Bosch, Continental and Futuris, and electric vehicle infrastructure and services provider Better Place Australia.
The $26 million project will use the Holden Commodore as the basis for seven "proof of concept" electric versions of Australia's number one selling passenger vehicle, the Adelaide-built Holden Commodore.
EV Engineering chairman and former Mitsubishi Australia boss Robert McEniry said electric vehicles will be an important part of the future of the Australian car manufacturing industry.
"This collaboration is evidence that the local manufacturing and automotive industries have recognised the important role these vehicles will play in their future," Mr McEniry said.
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