Shanghai, February 22 (Gasgoo.com) Hong Kong is expected to announce the final lab test results later this week on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples, which are critical to prove whether the recent spate of vehicle breakdowns in the territory is fuel-related, China Daily reported.
Earlier this month, a preliminary report by Hong Kong's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) showed that LPG samples from Sinopec, a Chinese oil giant that supplies LPG for about 18,000 taxis and 2,000 minibuses in Hong Kong, has not identified any breach of vehicle-LPG specifications.
The EMSD set up a task force to investigate rising complaints from taxi and minibus drivers about frequent breakdowns after filling with LPG in Sinopec service stations in early January. They believed the fuel supplied by Sinopec was adulterated or tainted.
Experts and industry players, however, suggest other possible causes of potential engine failure in these taxies and mini-buses, as maintenance is as crucial for LPG taxis and mini-buses as with normal gasoline-driven vehicles.
Hundreds of taxis reported breakdowns last month to the local government, and most of them have been in service for more than eight years, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry in Hong Kong.
