Taipei County boosts car dual fuel incentives

Taipei County Magistrate Chou Shi-wei said that the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been promoting the program by offering a subsidy of NT$25,000 to motorists who also want to modify their vehicles to use LPG.

Chou said taxi drivers in the county will receive an additional subsidy of NT$25,000 if they decide to take the offer.

It generally costs about NT$45,000 to NT$50,000 for the mechanical conversion.

This means that a taxi driver will complete the conversion for free or get extra money of around NT$5,000 to cover fuel costs.

The Taipei County has the largest population in Taiwan because it literally encircles the capital of Taipei, and most residents either work or engage in activities in the capital.

Chou said the subsidy will not only help taxicabs alleviate their financial burden in the face of soaring gasoline prices, but will also help slash the level of carbon dioxide for a better living environment.

A total of 300 taxi drivers may take advantage of the incentives in the first phase of the program.

The program will be expanded, depending on results and the response from the public, he said.

The cost of LPG is presently half the price of gas.

Vehicle owners should not worry about any possible safety hazards from modifying the mechanical system, according to EPA officials.

EPA statistics show that 13,119 vehicles were converted to the gas/LPG dual fuel system as of the end of 2007.

Taipei City has the largest number of 5,077 modified vehicles, while Taipei County has 3,329 cars.

The majority of modified cars are taxicabs or other vehicles for business purposes, as operators have been striving to lower fuel costs.

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