CFBP Promotes Autogas at International Car Show
The Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (CFBP) earlier this month participated in the 2012 Mondial de L’Automobile in Paris.
The Comité Français du Butane et du Propane (CFBP) earlier this month participated in the 2012 Mondial de L’Automobile in Paris, one of the biggest annual international motor shows, to publicize the benefits of Autogas to the driving public, policy-makers, and the many car manufacturers in attendance. CFBP’s exhibition booth, which was seen by the thousands of visitors to the exhibition, highlighted the key messages which the Autogas industry is communicating – that Autogas is cleaner, cheaper, greener, and widely available. The booth was managed by CFBP staff with additional support from many of CFBP’s members throughout the two week period of the exhibition.
Alongside the exhibition, CFBP Managing Director, Joel Pedessac, gave a presentation to government officials and French Parliamentarians at a conference organized by the “Club de Voitures Ecologiques” (Ecological Vehicles Club) not only highlighting the environmental credentials but also calling for policies which facilitate further uptake of Autogas cars in the coming years.
Mr. Pedessac note the importance of fuel diversification, highlighting that if Autogas made up 10% of the French passenger car transport fuel mix by 2020 (a figure also in AEGPL’s Autogas Roadmap) then there would be a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and pollutants. In particular, he noted that in contrast with other fuels that the Autogas network is already in place with one fuel station in seven carrying Autogas, and that little direct public finance is required to increase uptake.
On the part of policy-makers, Mr. Pedessac stressed the need for an excise regime which reflects the ecological benefits of the fuel, and application of public policy iniatives such as tax deductions for LPG retrofits and exemptions from local traffic congestion charges.
Further information about the exhibition can be found here.