The city of Beijing is planning to increase the number of taxis which run on natural gas. For the time being, the city has 99 taxis which run on natural gas and is planning to increase the number to 2,000 by the end of July, 2013. This move will be taken in order to promote the use of clean energy in public transportation.
The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said that the current number of vehicles is expected to be increased to 10,000 by 2013 and will include 2,000 taxis, 3,143 city buses and vehicles for certain driving schools. Xu Tong, deputy general manager of Beijing Gas Group, said, “Replacing traditional gasoline with natural gas in vehicles will greatly reduce pollution from fine particulate matter”.
Tong went on to say that the increased use of natural gas will also improve air quality in the city. A vehicle that uses natural gas can go up to 500 km and is capable of meeting demands of urban commuters. The bureau also informed that the city will be adding 30,000 additional natural gas vehicles by the end of 2015.
Tong also said that natural gas will cost 30 to 40 percent less than diesel fuel, but the biggest concern is lack of natural gas stations.
