Texaco launches gasolene alternative
Published:Friday | October 5, 2018 | 12:00 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
Mauricio Pulido, chief executive officer of GB Energy Texaco Jamaica, said that with the launch of his company's liquid petroleum gas (LPG), called Autogas, motorists who convert their vehicles will benefit from a significant reduction in the price of gasolene at the pumps.
The company's LPG will be sold between 40 and 50 per cent cheaper than 90-Octane fuel.
Speaking at the launch held at the first Texaco station to offer the gasolene alternative, located at 27 Half-Way Tree Road in St Andrew yesterday, Pulido said that the use of LPG will be less hazardous to the environment.
"LPG is a cleaner fuel than traditional gasolene, and it burns more efficiently in the motor, producing less contamination. You see, LPG for cars reduces CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by 25 per cent when compared to gasolene, which, as of today, could be sold cheaper than regular gasolene at the pump," Pulido said.
FAVOURABLE FEEDBACK
The GB Energy CEO said that the company has been working on the project for the past eight months, and so far, the feedback from motorists who have converted their vehicles has been favourable.
"The response from motorists has been great. We have converted close to 15 cars. Drivers enjoy the transition from LPG to gasolene and from gasolene to LPG by pressing a button in the dashboard," he said.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was guest speaker at the launch, lauded GB Energy's gasolene alternative as an example of how the private sector can be involved in the country's growth.
He said that his Government has been doing its part in facilitating this kind of development.
"The Government in its execution of economic policies, has done it in such a way that you now have certainty in the future so that you calculate and manage your risks and, therefore, you can feel comfortable in putting the resources in place to lead the innovation," said Holness, who is overseeing the energy ministry following the departure of Dr Andrew Wheatley from the post in July.
GB Energy has partnered with Jamaican start-up Tecnigas to convert vehicles to use LPG. The conversion costs between $200,000 and $250,000, depending on the size of the vehicle.