Fuel Efficiency Standards for LPG Cars to Be Established

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport has been considering the establishment of fuel efficiency standards for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered automobiles for the further promotion of measures to prevent global warming, as well as to reduce energy consumption.

Since no designation exists yet in Japan for LPG trucks, only standards for passenger cars running on LPG are currently being considered at present. Based on vehicle weight, the planned fuel economy standards vary from a minimum of 4.8 kilometers per liter (for cars weighing 2,266 kilograms or more) to a maximum of 15.9 kilometers per liter (for cars weighing 702 kilograms or less). The ministry will establish the final plan after hearing opinions from the public.

If these standards are achieved, the average fuel efficiency rate of LPG passenger cars shipped in fiscal 2010 will be approximately 11.4 percent higher than in 2001. If all LPG-powered passenger cars currently running (mainly taxis) meet these standards, emissions will be reduced by as much as about 500,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide (CO2).

Compared to gasoline-powered cars, LPG vehicles emit neither black smoke nor suspended particulate matter (SPM), and less nitrogen oxide (NOx) in their exhaust gases. Even CO2 emissions are about 10 percent lower than from gasoline-powered vehicles. Though most taxis outside Japan run on petrol, almost all 230,000 taxis nationwide currently run on LPG, having replaced gasoline since 1963.

Until now, no fuel efficiency standards existed in Japan for LPG cars. Since taxis travel about seven times further than cars for personal use, the new standards are expected to make a big difference in global warming prevention.



Posted: 2003/02/28 10:28:53 AM
Japanese version