LPG Vehicles

With about half a million vehicles in Hong Kong, nearly 30% are diesel vehicles accounting for almost 70% of the total road usage in Hong Kong. Additionally diesel vehicles account for 98% of respirable suspended particulates and around 80% of the nitrogen oxide emitted by vehicles. Diesel vehicles are therefore the dominant source of air pollution in the streets of Hong Kong. To improve air quality in Hong Kong and introduce a practical and clean alternative to diesel vehicles the Government is actively promoting the use of LPG Vehicles particularly among the 18,000 taxis in Hong Kong. Note 1

To ensure the viability and safety of these vehicles a one-year road test was carried out on 30 taxis and successfully concluded in November 1998. The results were highly positive showing that the performance of LPG taxis was comparable to that of diesel taxis yet emissions were extremely low and virtually free of smoke. Passengers also welcome the taxis finding them quieter and
more environmentally friendly. As a result, the Government is working towards the eventual replacement of all diesel taxis with LPG models
by 2006.

EMSD's role in this initiative has been on several levels. Firstly as Hong Kong's Authority on Gas Safety, we are involved in all the safety aspects of the scheme. These include mandatory safety control and approval of the LPG vehicles, LPG filling stations, LPG vehicle workshops and competently trained LPG Mechanics. Secondly as a technical adviser and consultant to the Government, EMSD forms a part of the LPG Scheme Committee advising on technical issues.

LPG Filling Station Safety Design

Activities to date include:

The preparation of Safety Guidelines on the construction and maintenance of LPG taxis and LPG filling stations. These include a range of requirements and initiatives such as type approval of LPG cylinders and storage tanks as well as safety, pressure and automatic valves to prevent the build up of pressure or leakage.

The monitoring and supervision of LPG filling stations. We also carried out the identification of suitable sites for dedicated LPG filling stations and tenders for the design, construction and operation of 5 more dedicated LPG filling stations were issued in December 1999. These stations are expected to be operational by the end of 2000. Together with the provision of LPG facilities in 17 existing petrol stations, it is anticipated that there will be 26 LPG filling stations in operation at the end of 2000, growing to 37 at the end of 2001.

We have issued guidelines and requirements for the setting up of LPG vehicle workshops to the vehicle service trade. So far, 29 suitable sites have been identified and we have received 11 applications for the setting up of these workshops. Permit-to-use approval has been granted to 2 workshops and construction approval for 3 other workshops has also been given. Currently, we have granted Type Approval to 4 LPG taxi models and applications from other LPG taxi suppliers are being processed.

The Vocational Training Council has trained 235 LPG mechanics so far. 137 of them have been registered with EMSD under the Gas Safety Ordinance.

We monitor the maintenance of the two LPG vehicles under trial in the Government fleet and have also issued an order, on behalf of the Environment Protection Department, for a third LPG vehicle which will act as a mobile environmental resources centre.

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Note 1 Figure based on information extracted from the Discussion Paper of 5 November 1999, Legislative Council, Panels of Environmental Affairs and Transport, Comprehensive Control of Diesel Vehicle Emissions.