May 21 2008
Energtek Inc., a world leader in the development of Adsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) technology, announced today that a three-wheeler with a two-stroke engine has been successfully converted to operate on Natural Gas in the Philippines. Over the next year, thousands of similar small vehicles with two-stroke engines are scheduled for identical conversions as part of Energtek's commercial project in the Philippines.
The converted vehicle, a Yamaha RS100T motorcycle with a locally produced sidecar, is now operating on Natural Gas utilizing Energtek's proprietary Adsorbed Natural Gas technology. The conversion of a two-stroke vehicle engine to Natural Gas fuel is the first recorded success of its kind for a large-scale commercial project.
"Energtek's technology provides a solution for the country's more than two million tricycle drivers to continue to operate their vehicles, preventing them from suffering a significant loss of livelihood that would have been brought on had they been forced to stop using them," said Ariel P. Lim, the Philippine President's Special Advisor for Public Transport Affairs. "We are very excited about the conversion to Natural Gas of many of the country's two-stroke engine vehicles and expect that it will drastically reduce the Philippines' high pollution levels."
Drivers have long been attracted to two-stroke vehicles due to their relatively low purchase price, but many governments, including the Philippines, are now attempting to limit or completely ban the use of two-stroke engines powered by gasoline.
"Millions of two-stroke vehicles powered by gasoline are causing severe pollution, particularly in nations where they represent a large percentage of motor vehicles," said Energtek CEO Lev Zaidenberg. "We are pleased to present the Filipino people with a practical solution to allow low-income drivers to continue operating their existing vehicles, using clean and affordable Natural Gas. Utilizing abundant Natural Gas resources provides substantial environmental benefits and reduces equivalent fuel costs by more than fifty percent."
Two-stroke engines release significantly more hazardous particulate matter than cleaner four-stroke engines. Additionally, two-stroke engines are quite durable and can last for up to 30 years, further highlighting the importance of conversion solutions in locations where citizens may not be able to afford purchasing a new vehicle.