More LPG taxis expected

MANILA, Philippines - The government expects the number of auto-LPG taxis to increase to 21,700 units nationwide by 2020 rom at least 19,000 at present.

According to data from the Department of Energy (DOE), the increase in the number of auto-LPG units would require a corresponding increase in refilling stations.

“By 2020, it is expected to increase to 21,700 units, which would require a total of 271 refilling stations. This will displace a total of 203.8 million liters of gasoline fuel,” the DOE said.

The DOE said that starting in 2027, the total number of auto-LPG is seen to decrease gradually.

“The gradual decrease in number of auto-LPG units can be attributed to the dropping of the 15-year franchise contracts,” the DOE said.

The issuance of 13-year franchise contracts by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to auto-LPG operators started in 1996 with an extension for another two year contracts.

The DOE said that by 2030, the total number of auto-LPG taxes is expected to further to about 23,000 units displacing a total of 216 million liters and requiring a total of 294 refilling stations nationwide.

The DOE said that with the shift to auto-LPG, the total projected cost is P2.90 billion.