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Xinjiang to Use More Natural Gas-Fueled Motor Vehicles
The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China plans to raise the number of natural gas- fueled motor vehicles to 8,000 in the next five years, hoping to prevent further deterioration of its worsening atmospheric pollution.
The regional capital of Urumqi is one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world. Exhaust fumes are blamed as the major source of the problem.
In 1994, the regional government began to promote the use of natural gas as fuel for motor vehicles instead of gasoline and diesel oil. By last year, over 1,000 natural gas-fueled motor vehicles were in use in Urumqi, and another 200 in cities elsewhere in Xinjiang, sources said.
As a clean energy, natural gas can help control the worsening air pollution in urban areas of the region and has been widely used.
"Conversion of automobile fuel systems to accommodate natural gas isn't difficult and costs only about 5,000 to 8,000 yuan," said Fang Jianye, a garage owner who does such work, adding that one year of operation of the environment-friendly vehicles will cover the cost.
The regional government will build more natural gas stations and also offer low-interest loans for gas-driven vehicle buyers.
Xinjiang is rich in natural gas and has verified 817.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. The increased use of natural gas motor vehicles will help boost the natural gas market.
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