More taxis to run on natural gas
June 27, 2013 Category Automotive, Automotive Metals & Minerals
Beijing plans to increase the number of taxis that run on natural gas from the current 99 to 2,000 by the end of July in a trial project to promote the use of clean energy in public transportation. Beijing now has 2,000 vehicles powered by natural gas, and that number is expected to rise to 10,000 by 2013, which will include 2,000 taxis, 3,143 city buses, and vehicles for some driving schools, the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said. The city plans to add more than 30,000 additional natural gas vehicles by the end of 2017 if the trial project is successful. A total of 7,000 natural gas powered public buses will be put into service by the end of 2015, the Bureau said. By using natural gas, the number of PM2.5 particles can be cut by 93%; nitrogen monoxide by 20% to 40%; carbon dioxide by 25%; and carbon monoxide by 50% to 70%. Natural gas will also cost 30% to 40% less than diesel fuel. Still, natural gas vehicles are not yet widely accepted, and construction of supporting facilities, like refueling stations, is lagging. The capital has set up seven compressed natural gas stations and nine liquefied natural gas stations to support the additional natural gas taxis. Some 100 stations will be set up by the end of the year, and at least 70 more will be built every year from 2014 to 2017 to meet the increasing demand. Natural gas accounted for 14% of the capital’s energy consumption in 2012, an increase from 6% in 2010.
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