Under the directives of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) is transferring its 522 vehicles to run on natural gas.
The Department of Transport at ADP, as part of its efforts to reduce pollution and maintain a clean environment, has completed the transfer of more than the required percentage (10 per cent of the total) at the start of the application last year, spending $511 per vehicle.
Major General Khalil Dawood Badran, director general of Finance and Services at ADP, said that this was achieved in the year 2011. ADP received two certificates from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) for being the first government entity starting to implement the transfer of 25 per cent of the total number of vehicles of government agencies to use natural gas for vehicles. The second certificate was for the first government agency that completed the ratio required for the year 2011 on time.
Brigadier General Jumaa Ahmad Hamel Qubaisi, director of the Department of Transport, added that the transfer of vehicle engines was completed in more than the required number and he would start using natural gas from the beginning of the year.
He said that according to the plan, 15 per cent of the total vehicles at the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police will be transferred in the next phase.
He noted that the use of natural gas in vehicles is one of the most efficient alternative fuels for vehicles, in addition to technical advantages and environmental care. It contributes to the reduction of pollution and cuts vehicle maintenance rate, increasing its useful life span.
Col Ahmed Mohammed Al Shibli, deputy director of the Department of Transport, said that its use shall be effective for more than 50 years and there are already about 13 million cars running on natural gas in about 80 countries.