Lpg Toyota Hiace

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday March 9, 2007

Richard Blackburn

Mobile mechanic group Lube Mobile says it has saved 25 per cent in fuel costs since switching to LPG-powered Toyota HiAce vans.

David Sayer (pictured), Lube Mobile's general manager, says a trial of the LPG vehicles has proved successful.

"Our vans average 2500 kilometres per month. The savings on LPG [over petrol] can be up to 10 cents per kilometre, which translates to a saving of $250 [a vehicle] per month," he says.

The savings amount to roughly half a new van's lease cost, which means that every two LPG vans Sayer buys free up enough money to buy another.

Lube Mobile began a three-van trial of the LPG HiAce in late 2005 and has since expanded its LPG fleet to 41 vehicles.

The company plans to have its entire fleet running on LPG by 2010.

Sayer says the LPG option allows the company to meet its environmental targets without losing engine performance.

Sales of LPG-powered light commercial vehicles almost doubled last year.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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