13/7/01
New natural gas (CNG) engines to be trialled in Transperth's bus fleet have one of the lowest emission levels in the world.
Announcing the results of the international testing today, the Minister responsible for Transperth, Michelle Roberts, said the new Mercedes-Benz engines had recorded exhaust emissions significantly better than the current Australian and European standards.
"The new engines have exceeded all expectations and have even met future European environmental standards that will not be introduced for another five years," Mrs Roberts said.
"This is another significant step towards the Government's election commitment to providing an environmentally 'clean green' public transport system that will benefit all Western Australians."
Mrs Roberts said the Mercedes-Benz gas engines had been fitted with a multi-point fuel injection system developed by Perth-based company Advanced Engine Components (AEC).
Testing has been carried out in Zurich by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA), which is an independent international authority.
Mrs Roberts said that during testing, the new engines had reached the European 'Euro 4' standard which was 30 per cent lower than Euro 3, which would become applicable in Australia in 2003.
"'Euro 4', the standard that these engines attained, will be introduced in Europe in 2005. No date has even been specified for its introduction to Australia, which gives some indication as to how well these engines measured up," she said.
Mrs Roberts said the engines would now undergo comparative 'field' testing as part of Transperth's fleet. Compressed natural gas buses had been part of the fleet since 1984, with 57 CNG-powered buses currently on the road.
The Minister said the new engine was an important stepping stone towards the future use of zero-emission fuel cell technology in Perth's bus fleet.
"This Government is committed to the ongoing process of using and assessing cleaner, more environmentally-friendly fuels until hydrogen fuel cell buses become available for commercial use," she said.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600
