The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has issued notices to all car dealers that vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) can switch to a petrol-only option starting from this month.
The Straits Times had reported in October that the authority was considering such a move.
Among the problems cited by drivers of CNG vehicles was the scarcity of pump stations.
There are roughly 2,700 owners of such cars in Singapore.
Mr Raymond Tang, secretary of the Singapore Vehicle Traders Association, said car owners must first make an application to LTA.
‘After that, they need to inspect their vehicles, then get them to the car dealer to remove it (the CNG tank),’ he said.
However, owners will have to pay back the tax rebate they received when they bought the car. The rebate is pegged to the number of years remaining in the 10-year lifespan of the car.
In addition, an administrative cost of about $70 will be levied.
Still, Mr Tang said, the move would be a welcome one for drivers using CNG. They now face long queues at fuelling stations because there are only about half a dozen of them.
‘The other problem is the lack of maintenance and support. Car dealers who used to maintain CNG cars are just not doing it any more,’ Mr Tang said.
