TRANSPORT giant
ComfortDelGro has pretty much written off compressed natural gas
(CNG) vehicles as an alternative to its diesel buses and
cabs, but is keen to explore electric hybrids.
Group chief executive Kua Hong Pak told the company's annual
general meeting yesterday: "We were
the first to try CNG buses here, but we have found them to be not
effective, costlier to buy and maintain, and there is a lack of
refuelling infrastructure."
The group has been running CNG buses since 2001 and has 12 in
its fleet.
Mr Kua was responding to a shareholder's question on what the
transport group was doing to prepare for the time when oil
production peaks and starts to taper.
"There is an abundant supply of diesel today," he said.
"Actually, supply outstrips demand. It is speculation that has been
driving up prices."
Nevertheless, he said the company was considering various
alternative vehicles, in particular, hybrids.
"In the UK, we are trying out a fleet of diesel-electric hybrid
buses."
Mr Kua told The Straits Times after the meeting that
ComfortDelGro has 10 such buses in London and is looking to add
more if it can secure government support, possibly in the form of
subsidies or tax breaks.
He said there was no such incentive for hybrid buses here, but
ComfortDelGro is keen to explore petrol-electric hybrid taxis.
"The Toyota Camry Hybrid looks quite promising," he noted.
"But it would be costly."
Toyota distributor Borneo Motors expects the Camry Hybrid, which
is made in Thailand, to arrive some time in June - that is if the
street protests there do not escalate.
Although prices have not been fixed here, the car is about 20
per cent more expensive than an average petrol Camry in the United
States.
If that price premium applies here, the car could cost the same
as a regular 2.4-litre Camry after Singapore's green vehicle
rebate.
This tax break is equivalent to 40 per cent of the car's open
market value.
This article was first published in The
Straits Times.