Wide interest in compressed natural gas engine technology

4/5/93

National and international delegates attending an urban transport conference in Sydney are showing interest in a Western Australian invention that allows diesel-fuelled engines to be converted to natural gas powered.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said the development holds exciting prospects for Transperth's bus fleet as well as the State's export potential.

"The company which has produced the prototype, Transcom International at Herdsman, is seeking to mass-produce the equipment for commercial markets around the world," Mr Charlton said.

"Perth would be an ideal launching pad for what could become a multi-million dollar export industry."

The compressed natural gas engine technology enables diesel-driven vehicles to be converted to cheaper priced and more environmentally friendly natural gas power.

Transcom has been trialling the equipment in Transperth buses and was now looking for commercial fleet contracts.

"Natural gas powered buses are the way of the future for modern-day urban public transport," Mr Charlton said.

Energy Minister Colin Barnett said Transcom's technology held enormous potential for the world market.

He said natural gas as an engine fuel was up to 50 per cent cheaper to buy, was cleaner when burned and produced quieter engine performance.

Transcom directors met Mr Charlton and Mr Barnett in Perth last week for discussions.

Mr Charlton said Transperth was about to receive tenders for updating its bus fleet over the next five years, and that the use of natural gas powered buses was one way of reducing expenditure on the fleet upgrading as well as ongoing operational costs.

About 1,000 delegates to the UITP World Congress and Exhibition in Sydney inspected the technology fitted to the latest Renault VI bus.

Renault is working in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and Trade and Transcom to assist in promoting the technology world-wide, particularly in Asia.

Media contacts: Dean Roberts 321 7333/222 9595 AH page: 4809999 or (94065), Carolyn Vicars 222 9699/222 9595