Analysis of LNG Buses Market in Jan. - Nov. 2011 Ⅰ

www.chinabuses.org: Generalized natural gas buses contain LPG, CNG and LNG buses and special natural gas buses contain CNG and LNG buses. Higher oil price and upgraded emission standard make people start to concern gas buses which are competitive compared with traditional diesel buses. We are going to analyze the sales and market of LNG buses in the first 11 months of 2011 in this article.
 

Despite hybrid buses and pure-electric buses are fuel-efficient and environment-friendly, immature technologies, imperfect infrastructure and high cost are restricting the development of new-energy buses. The most practical alternative energy-natural gas becomes highly valued. On October 18th, 2011, the 4th ANGVA Conference and Exhibition displayed many new-energy buses, such as one King Long city bus equipped with Yuchai Euro-IV natural gas engine and one Ankai city bus with Cummins Euro-V natural gas bus, both of which are used by Beijing Bus Group.

As the adjustment of national energy strategy, gas is supplied to major cities of China from many gas fields: gas transmission from the west to the east for five markets (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan); gas from Central Asia and Russia to Bohai Bay Area, Yangtze River Region Delta and Pearl River Region; Receiving Stations in coastal areas for LNG from Indonesia, Australia and Qatar. Therefore, LNG buses might play a key role in energy-saving and environmental protection in the future.

Part One: Features of LNG Buses- Environmental Protection, Low Cost, Safety & Reliability

Environmental Protection: Compared to oil or diesel buses，LNG buses are better for the Environmental Protection as its emission can be just handled then it can reach the Euro- V emission standard which is rather a good news for the public.

Low Cost: Compared to oil or diesel buses，the low cost of LNG buses show in three aspects: The operation cost, manufacture cost and the high price-performance ratio when confronting with the crisis of oil shortage.

Safety & Reliability: Compared to oil or diesel buses，LNG buses are safer as natural gas has a higher ignition temperature than gasoline and disperses in the air much more quickly, reducing the risk of fire.

Besides, LNG buses have other features such as being easy to storage and transport, light load and small occupy space, long driving mileage.

Part Two: Analysis of LNG Buses’ Sales in the First Eleven Months in 2011

In China, the LNG Buses are mainly driving in the Midwest of China which have rich natural gas storage and transportation.By Nov. 2011, LNG Buses markets are mainly in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqi, Tianjing, Sichuan, Hainan, Harbin, Changchun, Xian, Urumchi, Guangzhou, Yinchuan, Jinan etc.

1.Analysis of LNG Buses’ Sales in the First Eleven Months in 2011

According to the www.chinabuses.com industry statistic center, it is known that in Jan. - Nov. 2011, it sells 2,664 units of LNG Buses in China.

Table One: Statistic of LNG Buses sales in Jan. - Nov. of 2011 & 2010

                                                          Chart One: Statistic of LNG Buses sales in Jan. - Nov. of 2011 & 2010

From above data, it is seen that

①The sales of LNG Buses in Jan. - Nov. of 2011 & 2010 are positive growth, among which the biggest sales increasing one is in Sept with 86% growth rate and in June, the sales amount is the biggest which is same as the buses sales amount.

② The sales growth of LNG Buses is 31.0% which is bigger than the large-medium size buses which is 15%

③ Though the sales quantities in Jan.-Nov. is not so big, its sales growth is highly increasing.

2. Analysis of LNG Buses Sales on Large, Medium and Small Sizes in Jan. - Nov. of 2011

Table Two: Statistic of LNG Buses Sales on Large, Medium and Small Sizes in Jan. - Nov. of 2011

Chart Two: Statistic of LNG Buses Sales on Large, Medium and Small Sizes in Jan. - Nov. of 2011

From above data, it is seen that

① Apart from March, almost in each month the sales of large size LNG Buses are higher than the medium size LNG Buses. And apart from Nov. the sales of medium size LNG Buses are higher than the small size.

② In Jan. - Nov. of 2011, the total sales of each size are 1069 units of large size LNG Buses, 926 units of medium size LNG Buses and 714 units of small size LNG Buses which the respectively account for 40.1%, 34.8% and 26.8% of the total sales of LNG Buses.