The scheme – which provides a $2,000 rebate for private motorists who convert a petrol-powered vehicle to run on LPG Autogas and a $1000 rebate for the private purchase of a new LPG vehicle – has been extremely successful, with motorists flocking to LPG Autogas fuel.

LPG Australia Industry Development Manager Phil Westlake said Autogas conversion of existing vehicles had doubled in 2007.

“We estimate the 12-month period to August 2007 will total 120,000 installations. Clearly, motorists are voting for LPG with their feet,” he said.

Mr Westlake said the scheme’s popularity had helped overcome misconceptions about LPG systems.

“Modern LPG kits provide power and driveability indistinguishable from that of petrol-powered engines,” he said.

National sales of new LPG Autogas-powered vehicles to May 2007 have increased 15 per cent compared with last year, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures.

Industry figures based on gas cylinder sales obtained from LPG Australia indicate national LPG installations are up 128 per cent in 2007 compared with the same period last year.

Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said while motorist demand for the scheme had exceeded government expectation, it would continue to run uncapped until 2014.

“With climbing petrol prices putting pressure on the household budget, our LPG Vehicle Scheme offers families a cheaper fuel alternative,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Motorists using LPG are saving money on fuel and helping the environment in the process.”

Meanwhile, waiting times for motorists wishing to convert their vehicles to LPG Autogas have been all but eliminated.

Mr Westlake said that, initially, motorists faced conversion waiting times of up to 12 months in some cases following the introduction of the LPG Vehicle Scheme.

“There was an overwhelming rush in the scheme’s wake to take advantage of the grant. The LPG industry simply couldn’t keep up with the booming demand, which meant in some cases motorists queued for uncharacteristically lengthy periods,” Mr Westlake said.

“The good news is that long waiting times are over. The industry has rallied to meet consumer demand and conversion waiting times have returned to the industry average of around three weeks.”