On behalf of unionized drivers from this region, the Executive Secretary of Santa Cruz Drivers Federation “November 16” Roger Gonzales thanked authorities for the CNG engines, 120 of which have already been installed in Toyota Coaster transit buses.
The Vortec CNG engine manufactured by General Motors is 4300 cc, 120 HP and weighs about 100 kg less than the diesel ones, and offer three CNG tanks of 70 cubic meters to run about 250 km. The motor also features a comprehensive diagnosis system for easy and economical maintenance.
Moreover, the engines delivered under the pilot conversion program from diesel to CNG system also have international certifications, such as Bureau Veritas, ISO 15500 for NGVs, ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 1400 environmental certification and Euro 4, among others.
“These engines the national government gives us will benefit all. Owners will spend less money on fuel covering the same route. The State will gradually reduce the subsidy to diesel and these CNG powered buses will stop polluting our environment,” said Gonzales.
According to the Executing Agency for Natural Gas Vehicles Conversion (EEC-GNV), a driver used to spend about 54,000 bolivianos annually on diesel, whereas the fuel cost goes down to 26,000 bolivianos annually by using the new CNG engine.
Source: Executing Agency for Natural Gas Vehicles Conversion (EEC-GNV).
