Demand for LPG conversion in vehicles has surged amid petrol and octane shortages and the long queues at filling stations.
Multiple conversion centres reported a 50 to 100 per cent increase in demand in the first two weeks of April.
Zantrik Chief Operating Officer Biplob Biswas said conversions at the facility are expected to double compared to March.
The total number of conversions completed throughout March was matched within just the first two weeks of April, he said.
Maple Leaf LPG Manager Md Delwar Hossain said conversions in early April have already reached March levels.
He expects the total number of conversions this month to double.
Fuel shortages are forcing drivers to wait in long queues for octane, pushing many to switch to LPG, he said.
“Many vehicle owners are shifting to LPG to avoid waiting,” he said.
Some customers are finding it difficult to run vehicles on octane, while even luxury car owners are showing interest in LPG conversion, he added.
The rise in conversions is closely linked to fuel shortages that began in early March.
JMI Industrial Gas Senior Sales and Service Engineer Md Jewel Miah said demand is usually low during winter from December to February.
The slowdown was more pronounced this year due to the election period, he said.
“The demand began to rise suddenly from the end of March,” he added.
At JMI’s Tejgaon conversion centre, around 15 vehicles were converted in early April, marking a 50 per cent increase from a typical month.
Mirpur resident and SUV owner Kamruzzaman Khan said he converted his vehicle to avoid long queues.
“CNG stations often have long lines and inconsistent pressure,” he said.
“LPG is also better for engine performance compared to CNG,” he added.
He converted his vehicle just before the fuel crisis began and said the decision is now benefiting him as he no longer needs to wait in queues.
LPG conversion costs range from Tk45,000 to Tk70,000, depending on cylinder size and kit quality and the workshop officials said the price remained almost stable despite the demand surge.
Cylinders ranging from 45 to 90 litres are available in Bangladesh.
Round-shaped cylinders fitted in the spare tyre space start from 45 litres, while conventional cylinders start from 60 litres.
The country’s total monthly LPG demand stands at around 150,000 tonnes. Of the total, about 120,000 tonnes are used for cooking, roughly 15,000 tonnes for industrial use and the remaining 15,000 tonnes as Autogas, according to the industry people.
