Motorists promised cheaper gas

Taxi and bus operators are expected to benefit from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which was officially launched yesterday at the Texaco Station, 27 Half-Way Tree Road.

According to Mauricio Pulido, CEO of GB Energy and Texaco, LPG, also known as autogas, is not only 40 per cent cheaper, but much friendlier on the environment than gasolene.

"The people that will mostly benefit from that is gonna be 'massive transportators' like taxi men and gasolene consumers in large scale, because the fuel is going to be cheaper and be about half of the price of gasolene. So drivers will make the same distance at half of the price," he said.

According to Pulido, LPG is a fuel that is also much cleaner than gasolene and extends the lives of the vehicle's motor.

"What we are bringing to Jamaica is a first-world service station, which will sell the diesel or gasolene that is usually sold. But, in addition to that, they will be selling LPG, which is the regular cooking gas, for cars," he said.

In order for a vehicle to be LPG compatible, it would have to be taken to a conversion centre where an additional pump would be installed.

The conversion process will cost at least $150,000 depending on the size of the car.

"The good news is that the conversion can be financed by Texaco Jamaica or selected institutions. They will have the opportunity to pay back the money over a period of time," said Pulido.

LPG is currently on the market and is available at a service station in Half-Way Tree and goes for between $90 and $95 per litre.