THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

MEMORANDUM

Bob Rompre May 4, 1982
Energy Coordinator for
Energy Committee

F.E. Peters, Alderman Laking
City Engineer Alderman Mabbett
Director of Planning

Conversion to Propane

Further to the discussion at the last Committee meeting,
I have attached a report from the Works & Utilities Superintendent
outlining a comparison between propane and gasoline. You will’
note an average saving of $561.00 per vehicle per year in the
report. This is based on an average gasoline usage for all -
vehicles and may not apply directly to any given vehicle.

You will note that, contrary to my earlier statement,
the total grant available is only $400 per unit at this time
rather than the $600 per unit which I previously mentioned. As
you can see from the report, this would give us an approximate
cost of $800 per unit for conversion after the grant is received.
The conversion cost is therefore recovered very rapidly and the
other benefits of using propane are all extra.

Manufacturers do not recommend conversion to propane
until the vehicle has been broken in on regular gasoline so. the
ideal vehicles for conversion would be those which we have had
£for two or three thousand miles. On the other hand, it would
probably not be worth our while to convert the vehicles which
are nearing the end of their useful life. .

We purchased four new pick-ups last year which are ideal
for conversion because the propane cylinders can be kept in the
pick-up box without interfering unduly with the use of the
vehicle. I would recommend converting these four pick-ups plus
the two additional vehicles which we are purchasing this year
after they have had a suitable break-in period. Our total net
estimated cost for these six vehicles would be about $4,800
which is almost the amount of the funds available this year for

energy related uses.

F.E. Peters, P. Eng.,
FEP/sgg City Engineer
Attachment ‘