Encouraging the Use of Producer Gas
Page 47
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. A LTHOUG-11 in most countries the 11.lessons of the war in regard to its serious effect on the supply of liquid motor fuel have almost been forgotten, it would seem that France is an exception to the rule. Indeed, it may be said that in no other country is so much attention being devoted to the question of optional motor fuels as is being done by our neighbours across the Channel.
In this connection, the French War Department has recently announced a new decision which may have a farreaching effect in rendering military transport, in times of emergency, less dependent on imported petrol. yor some years past much has been done in France in the development of producergas generating plants suitable for installation on motor vehicles and, with the object of encouraging industrialmotor users to adopt this form of equip
ment, the Department in question has for some time had a scheme in operation under which an annual subsidy is offered to owners in respect of 31-ton, 5-ton and 7-ton gas-producer lorries.
The important decision referred to above is that, according to Le Poids Lourd, of Paris, the annual subsidy is to be extended to 30-cwt. lorries fitted with producer-gas equipment and that a class for these vehicles will be included in the trials to be held in June of next year.
Although it is fully appreciated that, in normal circumstances, the substitution of producer gas for petrol in these light vehicles will not result in any marked economy, it is felt that, in an emergency, the availability of a large number of such vehicles would be of national advantage. • • According to our French contemporary, another measure which it is antici pated will assist the producer-gas movement is that of granting an annual subsidy not only to the vehicle owner, but also to the manufacturers oi producer-gas plant suitable for use on motor lorries: To assist makers in this direction it is understood that the French War Department is prepared to loan to them for the 1931 trials vehicles of different load capacities, on which to fit producer-gas plants that do not require any modification of existing engines ; this should save makers a good deal of money and enable some of the smaller concerns to enter the trials.
Manufacturers who intend to compete for subsidy qualification must be prepared to enter at least two producers of different capacities. They may, however, enter one in each of the four classes-30 cwt. to 7 tons—in respect of which an annual subsidy is offered.