"It was like a vicious circle. Small market demand hindered the LPG sector from growing. Immature techniques and insufficient supporting facilities further dampened people's interest in LPG vehicles," Hsieh said.
The arrival of computerized engines has made the whole process a lot easier. Any trained technician can now handle the job with ease. The availability of locally made components needed for LPG conversion has also helped to build up the market.
"Now we can make installations and repairs, do maintenance and provide a whole package of after-purchase services all by ourselves. The consumers have more confidence and
assurance in converting to, or buying LPG vehicles," Hsieh said.
In light of the growing market demand, Formosa Automobile Corp (台朔汽車) put out its bi-fuel magnus models in 2001, while Hyundai's XG V6 model entered the local bi-fuel vehicle market last August.
"In the past, people didn't want LPG vehicles because there were very few refueling stations. But now we have 17 LPG refilling stations in eight cities and counties. We plan to work with local governments and provide grants of NT$1 to NT$7 million to each newly established station," said Yang, from the EPA. "The total amount of LPG sold at the stations has increased by about 30 percent since 2000. The average numbers of vehicles converted to LPG have reached over 200 per month. EPA will keep its subsidy policy, but will reduce the subsidy to NT$2.5 per liter starting next year."
As a veteran supervisor who has worked at the Lu Hai conversion workshop (陸海改裝廠) and refueling station on Binjiang Road for the past seven years, Hsieh is less optimistic about the future.
"After gasoline prices stabilize and with the arrival of colder weather, LPG car fever has gradually dried up in recent months. A more supportive government policy is needed for a substantial growth in the number of LPG vehicles."
Hsieh said more needed to be done to support LPG and other countries had successfully done this.
"Autogas should be one third of the price of petrol. South Korea did it. This is why it has sold over 1.6 millions LPG vehicles nationwide," Hsieh said.
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