The data provided reveals that 12,365 vehicles have been converted during the first quarter of the year, i.e. 18 percent more CNG equipments installed in comparison with the same period of 2011, when 10,474 vehicles had been fitted. It is expected that 23,000 to 25,000 conversions will be carried out all over 2012.

As reported yesterday by Andina news agency, the demand for conversions comes mainly from Lima. In general, the requests consist of cars and vans, which are planned for taxi service and particular uses in a high percentage. Besides, more and more people acquire vehicles powered by CNG/gasoline directly from the car dealers.

"Public transport has an active presence in the CNG segment, and also is expected to grow, due to this fuel’s low price and low maintenance cost. The best example is the ‘Metropolitano’ service, which has a total of 415 natural gas fueled buses traveling daily around the city of Lima," Del Castillo analyzed.

Moreover, there are currently 190 stations selling CNG in the country. The refueling service has also arrived in Ica, Chiclayo (Lambayeque), Piura and Huacho (Lima). "NGVs represent about six percent of total national fleet, and we have the possibility of development through other CNG and LNG technologies," the executive concluded.