The new rule extends the natural gas conversion to all parts of the country and to all vehicles. Within this framework, the EEC-GNV has been authorized to use available resources from NGV Conversion Fund and CNG Cylinders Upgrading and Replacement Fund.
For this new goal, the EEC-GNV is working with the three transit union of Santa Cruz. “We have already switched 20 vehicles last year with very encouraging results, so it is projected that 400 buses now change their diesel engine for one that runs on CNG. Besides, we have to mention the 100 buses that also run on diesel and that their engines will be switched to Otto cycle so they can operate on natural gas,” said Asebey.
“The agency will consider the requests submitted by the potential beneficiary to determine the feasibility of returning resources. Regarding the loan amount, it will depend on whether the vehicle can be changed to Otto or needs an engine change. In turn, the EEC-GNV will conduct a preliminary technical evaluation of the potential vehicles, through authorized workshops, to determine the possibility of transformation of diesel to CNG,” commented Álvaro Mostajo, responsible for planning at the EEC-GNV, to NGVJournal.
The program beneficiaries will receive a 50% discount on the cost of the engine, which will be funded by the State, and may qualify for a credit “with appropriate terms and low interest rates” to cover the other 50% of the new engine.
