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Gas Pro, Excel Motors partner to introduce autogas

Published:Thursday | September 13, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Massy Gas Products’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rohan Ambersley (left) and Key Account Manager Richard Hanson discuss the benefits of converting vehicles to using liquefied petroleum gas to power motor vehicles. The two were speaking at Excel Motors ahead of the announcement that the two companies are partnering to introduce LPG as fuel for motor vehicles.
Massy Gas Products Chief Executive Officer Rohan Ambersley (right) and Excel Motor’s Managing Director Patrick Marzouca discuss their partnership at Excel Motor in Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland. The two companies have partnered to introduce liquefied petroleum gas for motor vehicles in Jamaica.
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Jamaican companies Massy Gas Products Jamaica Limited (Gas Pro) and Excel Motors are partnering to give motor vehicle users the opportunity to experience the economic and environmental benefits of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The two companies have collaborated for the past two years to introduce LPG to fuel vehicles. Referred to as autogas when used for this application, LPG carries multiple benefits, including environmental and economic advantages. These benefits were fully experienced by organisations that participated in a pilot study that saw 20 vehicles using the product.

Following a successful trial period, Gas Pro's Chief Executive Officer, Rohan Ambersley, says the focus is now on pitching to companies that operate fleets to use the product, as it will facilitate improved mileage and performance.

Ambersley said, "Gas Pro is excited to lead the introduction of autogas in Jamaica. We are always looking for ways to add value to customers and to innovate. As such, for now, we are concentrating on offering this product to fleet owners for now so they can experience the significant savings that come with using LPG."

 

Recover costs quickly

 

He shared that the costs associated with each conversion could be recovered quickly.

"After investing in a conversion kit to switch to an LPG-fuelled vehicle, consumers pay much lower cost to fuel their vehicles. It also assists in reducing the country's carbon footprint as it is a cleaner fuel, therefore, positively impacting the environment. In addition to these advantages, the use of LPG as fuel leads to a reduction in maintenance and service costs," Ambersley said.

Excel Motors' Managing Director, Patrick Marzouca agreed.

"We did 20 vehicles in the test periods, and the feedback in terms of return on their investment has been very positive. One entity observed profitability within a couple months while for the other, it was less than a month. If you paid $10,000 weekly for gas, with the kit, you would pay $7-8,000," he explained

Marzouca also shared that the process for conversion starts with the acquiring of a conversion kit that costs US $1,200.

"The process entails a conversion of a vehicle from a European standard to Euro 6. There is no change in the operation of the vehicle. There should be no change in the fuel consumption of the vehicle. But in Jamaica we have noticed that the mileage increases and the power increases. The vehicle will still be able to use gasolene if the driver so desires as the gasolene system is not replaced, just the addition of another fuel source. The kit also allows for an automatic and seamless switch between both fuels either through the flick of a switch or automatically if the LPG runs out while driving." explained Marzouca

The Excel Motor managing director revealed that up to $80 a litre per unit could be saved as the engines would run cleaner, fewer oil changes would be needed, and environmentally toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide would be significantly reduced.

According to Ambersley, the benefits accrued from using LPG gas-powered vehicles are causing an increase in the product's market share worldwide, with a 2016 study showing LPG as the third most popular automotive fuel in Europe, being used by over 10 million passenger cars.