WAM Abu Dhabi, July 29th, 2012 (WAM) -- Taxi franchises in Abu Dhabi will have to convert 25 per cent of their fleet to one that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems by the end of 2012, in line with an Executive Council decree.

Gulf News in its today's editorial commented that, "CNG systems allow vehicles to run using both petrol and gas and produce significantly less emissions and pollutants than normal cars. Taxi companies in Abu Dhabi operate more than 7,000 vehicles, so this will be of great benefit to the air quality in the emirate. The move will also help reduce global vehicle emissions and encourage other cities and countries to move to more environmentally sustainable transport services." The CNG system is also expected to reduce fuel costs for taxis in the long run and this should encourage other companies to switch to more sustainable energy sources. It is by showing the economic and social benefits of fuel efficiency that the action by taxi companies will encourage residents of the UAE to be more conscious about the environmental costs of cheap fuel, the paper added.

WAM/AM