Egypt’s drive to turn cars to natural gas to boost green jobs

Egypt’s drive to turn cars to natural gas to boost green jobs
By Marwa Nassar - -

Egypt’s march to turn vehicles from diesel oil to natural gas will mark a breakthrough in serving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as this measure will help reducing greenhouse gas emission (GHG), boosting green jobs, protecting environment, improving air quality, reducing oil consumption and promoting auto-feeding industry.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi unveiled state plans to allow licensing only new vehicles which operate with natural gas within the framework of commitment to the SDGs.

Industry Minister Niveen Gamea said turning a car to operate by diesel oil instead of natural gas costs about EGP 8,000 to 12,000, noting that payment facilities will be offered, including paying in installments over five years.

These facilities fall within the framework of commitment to Sisi’s directives to accelerate this measure.

She added that the state is planning to establish 366 natural gas stations with three years to serve this goal. There are about 68 natural gas stations in Greater Cairo.

The ministry also plans to replace old cars which were manufactured more than 20 years ago under a national initiative for sustainable fuel in order to reduce pollution, improve people’s living conditions and boost auto-feeding industry.

Experts said that the cost of converting diesel oil cars to operate by natural gas stands at about EGP 8 billion within three years.

They said this will lead to cutting fuel consumption by 40 percent, adding that cars’ dependence on natural gas will up car’s engine’s capability by about 10 percent and extending the average lifespan of a car’s engine by 25 percent.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Engineering Industries Abdel Moneim el Qadi hailed the political leadership decision with regard to turning cars to operate by natural gas as this would boost local auto-feeding industry by 30 percent.

Therefore, former Industry Minister Amr Nassar called for accelerating these steps that would give momentum to local industry.

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