To be or LPG? That is the jeepney question

MANILA, Philippines - Our national mode of transport – the now ubiquitous derivative of the renowned wartime Jeep – is about to get a major overhaul, if everything goes according to plan.

Pending the final results of a study to ascertain “economic viability, environmental soundness, health impact, and social acceptability,” today’s jeepneys might be switching their diet from diesel to cheaper liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Said study will be conducted by Global Ambient Hi-Technology Systems, Inc. (GATES); Philippine Automotive Depot Inc (PAD, Inc.); the Environmental Studies Institute of Miriam College in Quezon City; Citizens Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability (COCAP); Partnership for Clean Air (PCA); and Clean Air Initiatives Asia (CAI-Asia).

Cielo Fregil, GATES managing director, says they are eyeing “brand-new and Euro 3-rated LPG -fuelled engines from Japan,” to be the power plant of choice for public utility jeepneys.

In an interview with this writer, Fregil says: “We aim to validate, that with current pricing of diesel versus LPG, and with a much more efficient and new engine, we can obtain lower or parity fuel costs with the same route as a counterpart old diesel jeepney.

“The environmental benefits are obvious,” she continues, “since there will be negligible PM (particulate matter) emissions compared to present diesel engines. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons will be within prescribed limits. It is unfortunate that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are not yet regulated in our country, but we expect also a great reduction of these too, since diesel engines emit this the most.”

“In terms of emissions of particulate matter but it is still unclear for other pollutants such as NOx and VOC (volatile organic compounds). (In fact) studies of LPG use in other countries (different vehicles, different climate, different car and fuel technology) sometimes show increased NOx and VOC. There are still no detailed studies on emissions impacts of LPG in PUJs, says May Antoniette Ajero, air quality program manager of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center. “The PCA, through the Environmental Studies Institute of Miriam College, is currently studying this aspect in more detail using one LPG PUJ.”

According to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, an online green car guide that provides “a wealth of information on everything from electric cars, efficient petrol and diesel cars, to biofuels and hydrogen technology,” the benefits of LPG engines run from the practical to the environmental.

Aside from the fuel’s inexpensive pump price, converting a vehicle to run on LPG automatically reduces the amount of carbon dioxide it emits – as much as 20 percent less than gas-fed engines. Although it approximates diesel engines in this regard, LPG power plants emit less noise, produce fewer particulates and nitrogen oxides, and have less potential for pollution should the fuel be spilled as LPG readily evaporates, continues the website writeup.

Going back to monetary savings, motorists can expect to save as much as 40 percent in fuel expenses compared to gas and 20 percent compared to diesel.

For jeepney operators, one big drawback is the prohibitive cost of conversion – to the tune of P250,000 per vehicle (compare this to a tag of P20,000 to P30,000 for a taxi conversion).

Fregil explains: “The conversion of a taxi engine for LPG use is much simpler, since we attach the kit on the existing gasoline engine. We install LPG injectors, a regulator, and LPG computer that acts as a slave to the original gasoline ECU. On the other hand, the conversion of jeepneys with existing diesel engines requires changing the whole engine (and/or transmission) with a gasoline engine, then attaching the LPG kit on the new gasoline engine. In our case, the gasoline engine already comes with an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) LPG kit.” This, process, she continues, is known as “repowering.”

Ajero notes that given such rates, the government must step in with a “financial mechanism (e.g. microfinancing to support drivers and operators.)”

Longtime commuter Benedict Alibasa says that while he is “all for cheaper and cleaner fuel,” we need to take a long hard look at safety concerns. “Let’s face it, jeepney drivers do not exactly have the highest safety standards. Passengers get away with smoking. Even the drivers do so themselves. That’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Alibasa continues: “In this regard, I want to see how the people concerned will install said LPG engines.” As for the fare, Alibasa says that he doesn’t expect a discount. “In fact, we might even get a fare hike because of the price of conversion. What I reasonably expect is more stable fare, in view of the change of in fuel.”

If Autoindustriya.com editor-in-chief Brent Co had his druthers, he’d do away with jeepneys altogether. “They are an outdated and inefficient form of transportation,” he says. “People should learn to walk more; they’re so used to alighting from public transportation wherever they want.”

Anyway, Co insists that he not averse to retooling our PUJs. “It’s a big step towards cleaner air,” he shares. And without the perceived opposition of public transportation sector groups, Co says that local diesel quality can finally be improved.

As for the expected spike in LPG demand, Cielo Fregil says there is no need to worry about supply. “LPG is produced from two sources: refining crude oil when producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc.; and natural gas wells. Compared to gas or diesel, there are actually more sources of LPG. Whenever you produce gas and diesel from a refinery, you always produce LPG. If you say that LPG runs out, then you are saying the gasoline and diesel are also gone. That would be the day,” she avers.

Will LPG, then, the fuel of choice in the near future?

“It will depend per country,” maintains Fregil. “Some countries utilize CNG (compressed natural gas) more. In the Philippines, LPG is widely available anywhere. Investment in auto LPG infrastructure is not so difficult. What is alarming is that our LPG prices are much more expensive than in other countries, which makes one wonder why that is the case.”

She asks: “Our neighboring countries most likely have the same source as we do. Are there entities profiting more than they should?”

Now, there’s the rub. As with everything else in this country, it seems that we need to take a long hard look at why things are the way they are. No matter which side you take regarding the LPG jeepney question, there are other matters that need to be resolved decisively so that we get the whole, complete picture of what awaits us in our near, often nebulous, future.