Natural Gas Vehicle in Spotlight at Shinjuku Auto Show

12/03/96

Comline reports that the Japan Gas Association is one of the sponsors of an exposition of natural gas vehicles in Shinjuku's Park Tower in Japan. All of Japan's natural gas auto manufacturers will participate in the show. Natural gas vehicles drive 150-200 km between fill-ups, are cleaner to operate than ordinary gas or diesel vehicles, and emit far less nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide than their traditional fuel counterparts. Late last year Japan's Ministry of Transport approved natural gas vehicle for ordinary usage. By the end of October 1996, there were 917 natural gas vehicles were on the road in Japan, including buses, sanitation vehicles, and other public-service autos. The gas industry hopes that 200,000 will be in use by the year 2000. The Shinjuku show features vehicles that are already for sale or that will be offered in the near future.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel