IOC to hawk LPG kits for three-wheelers

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country's largest retailing oil company, plans to offer 3-wheeler auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) kits through retail outlets across the country.

The corporation, in order to promote eco-friendly fuel, is also commissioning 26 new auto LPG dispensing stations (ALDS) at an estimated investment of Rs 14 crore. At present, IOC has about 44 ALDS across the country.

IOC has a marketing agreement with Sagas Autotec Pvt Ltd, the Mysore based LPG conversion kit supplier, for the sale and fitment of the latters "Sree LPG" conversion kits for 3-wheelers at its retail outlets.

IOC markets LPG meant for automotive vehicles under the brand name of Autogas. Compared with petrol, LPG is 84 per cent more fuel-efficient. This consequently results in good mileage for 3-wheelers which are retroffited with LPG conversion kits.

LPG as auto-fuel is being promoted as eco-friendly fuel as the exhaust emission of LPG driven vehicles have 75 per cent less of carbon m, 85 per cent less of hydrocarbons, 40 per cent less of nitrous oxide and 87 per cent less of ozone depletion, compared with petrol used as transporation fuel.

Customers wanting to switch to Auto LPG need to have their vehicles retrofitted with an approved conversion kit available with designated dealers in the city.

A C Kelkar, executive director (LPG) , IOC in a release said, "The population of three wheelers is booming in all the major cities and the humble autorickshaw, which is perhaps the most efficient means of transport in our country and is increasingly popular. Our challenge is on making the autorickshaw more efficient in terms of mileage, emissions and environmental friendliness. With the availability of the auto LPG kits through IOC, we are providing our three-wheeler customers a multipoint outlet that offers both high quality Autogas fuel and safe, standardised kits. In the process our endeavor is also to enlarge user segments to include three wheelers."