Using hybrid vehicles is a very poor alternative to CNG. Those who think hybrids are a better alternative are mainly those who have a vested interest in importing and selling more expensive vehicles.Who would sell their gas-guzzling vehicle for $50,000 to buy a hybrid for $100,000 when they can convert to CNG for about $10,000? Certainly this kind of replacement cannot be done on a large scale.Our oil reserves are rapidly dwindling, but we have a lot of cheap natural gas available. It is much more logical to switch to natural gas.
I listened in amazement to Mr Warner speaking in Parliament saying that we in T&T should follow the example of Costa Rica in the use of hybrids. Costa Rica is completely different from T&T, Mr Warner. They don't have the kind of gas reserves that we do.The government should begin to reduce fuel subsidies so that prices reflect the true economic and environmental costs of hydrocarbons. Natural gas is a much cleaner fuel than gasoline and I would agree that government needs to take a leading role in the conversion.
Charles de Matas, PhD
Trincity