Adnoc Distribution plans to extend its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles project to the general public once the pilot project of 50 cars is completed, a senior company official said.
Adnoc is also setting up more CNG filling stations and conversion facilities to enable car owners use natural gas as fuel.
"Once the test runs of the 50 cars, mainly taxis, under the pilot project goes ahead, it is planned to allow other car owners to convert from gasoline to natural gas.
"The test runs will go on for some months but after that the use of CNG will be extended to the general public," said Peter Kilmister, marketing and sales manager, Natural Gas Division, Adnoc Distribution.
The Abu Dhabi authorities are expected to give their full backing to the future extension of natural gas vehicle use in the capital.
Adnoc has displayed a model of the dispenser of CNG at the ongoing Environment Exhibition & Conference along with a CNG specific car manufactured by Daimler Chrysler, Germany.
"Adnoc Distribution is also in discussions with some fleet owners and organisations such as the police for use of CNG in their vehicles."
Conversion facilities (for vehicles from gasoline to CNG) will be created through licensing. "Adnoc plans to set up some conversion workshops in its garages."
Similarly, some more Adnoc filling stations will be selected to dispense CNG to vehicles. Adnoc has some 200 distribution stations across the UAE.
Richard Siemicki, general manager, Emirates Motor Company, distributors of Mercedes cars here, said drivers have the option of switching over from gasoline to CNG or vice versa.
"We are in talks with some groups for distributing natural gas vehicles in the UAE. The vehicles are bi-fuel ones, which means owners can switch from one fuel to the other."
He said it may take time for CNG to gain popularity but it is a cheaper and more efficient fuel.
"Pricewise, CNG is 30 per cent cheaper than gasoline, but is 3-5 per cent less economical [fuel efficiency]."
