The Government and executives of the Confederation of Bolivian Drivers have agreed to accelerate the process of conversion of gasoline-powered vehicles to natural gas at the national level after a slow first stage. In the second stage, the Executive will ensure the processing of 10,000 motor vehicles at the national level, for which will be imported conversion kits from Korea and Japan to facilitate the process. The agreement follows criticism of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy by Bolivia’s vice-president Alvaro García Linera, describing the conversion of around 7,000 vehicles to date as “shameful”.
The Director General of the Executing Entity for Conversion to Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV-EEC), Carlos Asport reported that to meet the needs of the fleet a tender process will be initiated for the purchase of 10,000 kits and cylinders of different sizes and varieties to suit fleet vehicles throughout the country. “This is a national competition; we are focusing initially with suppliers in Bolivia and in parallel are starting the process of international competitive bidding,” said Asport.
According to Bolivia’s Strategic Plan — Estrategia Boliviana de Hidrocarburos — published in September 2008, a conservative scenario sets a target of converting 20% of the national fleet to natural gas by 2027. The optimistic scenario aims for 35% conversion.
This article primarily compiled using information from a Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy press release.
