Canberra sends CNG down the tube

Good to see our politicians are so well informed on alternative energy

Somebody should send Minchin a primer on CNG transport economics. He's obviously has had his head turned by the LPG lobby.

Minchin defends CNG conversion stance - "

The government says it chose not to offer subsidies to convert petrol vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) because of difficulties with the use of CNG as an everyday transport fuel.
The government is offering motorists a $2,000 subsidy to switch their petrol cars to LPG, in a move designed to encourage the use of alternative fuels and ease the impact of high petrol prices.
In response to a question from Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison, Finance Minister Nick Minchin said there were good reasons why the government had decided not to extend the LPG subsidies to motorists wishing to use CNG.
Senator Minchin said the government already provided assistance to heavy vehicle operators to use CNG, which does not attract excise.
But CNG was less effective for everyday motorists.
"It does have a lower energy content than petrol or diesel, and as a transport fuel there are some difficulties with it," he said.
"CNG and indeed LNG (liquefied natural gas) are stored at considerably higher pressures (than LPG), they do require specialised, heavy-duty storage tanks in the vehicle which affect the amount of fuel the vehicle can carry.
"Specialist refuelling facilities are required to handle both of those fuels.
"It is not necessary a relevant fuel for ordinary motorists. LPG is, and that's why we've initiated this conversion scheme."
Despite these drawbacks, CNG had "some potential" as an alternative fuel, Senator Minchin said.
© 2006 AAP