Under the MoU, PNGV and PNOC will pool their resources and expertise to embark on a six-month field demonstration in Manila involving six units of the Enviro 2000. The two parties will also undertake a joint feasibility study on the development of other NGV-related businesses in the Philippines. These would include areas like NGV refuelling station construction and operation, promotion and marketing of NGV and production of bi-fuel and monofuel NGV vehicles in the Philippines. The six units will be one of the major highlights during the Philippines’ Independence Day celebrations on 12 June 2002.
The field demonstration will also serve as part of PETRONAS’ overall plans to promote and create market awareness of NGV and Enviro 2000 outside Malaysia, in line with its continuous efforts to increase the usage of the cleaner, cheaper and environment-friendly alternative fuel.
Apart from the Philippines, PNGV had earlier signed an MoU with the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) on 1 June 2001 for a joint field demonstration using five units of the Enviro 2000. The joint field demonstration with PTT has been successfully conducted on the roads in Bangkok for almost a year now. Even with the use of natural gas from Thailand which has a high content of carbon dioxide, there has been no performance problem reported and the exhaust emission is still below the EURO II limits on carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide.
PNGV also intends to sign a similar MOU with Singapore’s largest taxi company, Comfort Taxi Pte Ltd in the near future. Recently, one unit of the Enviro 2000 was exhibited at the launch of the CNG Pilot Project in Singapore. A field demonstration in Perth, Australia with one unit of the Enviro 2000, is also scheduled to commence soon.
In Malaysia, PETRONAS introduced the NGV programme as early as 1986 as part of its efforts to add value to the country’s abundant natural resources. Today, there are close to 5,000 NGV vehicles on the road in and around Kuala Lumpur served by 21 NGV refuelling stations which receive their supply through pipeline or trailer systems. More refuelling facilities are being set up to cater to the growing number of the NGV-powered vehicles.
Since they started operations in Malaysia, the Enviro 2000 vehicles have clocked an accumulated mileage of about 49 million kilometres with no major problems encountered. The exhaust emission was also below the EURO II limits. The Enviro 2000 can travel up to 450 kilometres per filling of NGV, making its performance equivalent to a petrol-powered vehicle. However, as NGV is substantially cheaper than petrol, its usage can generate significant savings on fuel expense.
At the MoU signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, PETRONAS was represented by Encik Muri Muhammad, Chairman of PNGV while PNOC was represented by its President Thelmo Y. Cunanan. The MoU was witnessed by Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd Hassan Marican, President and Chief Executive of PETRONAS and Mr Vicente S. Perez, Jr, the Philippines’ Secretary of Energy.
Issued by
Media Relations & Information Department
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