Ask an expert

Recently I received a quote to have my 2007 Mitsubishi 380 GRX converted to run on a blend of Hydrogen and petrol.

I have been told by the supplier that I should save around $800 per annum in petrol costs based on travelling an annual distance of 11000 km's per year, and my emissions should be reduced by 86%.

The cost of installation is $997. Other than the information provided by the particular supplier, I am unable to find any independent information on this device.

Do you have any advice to offer please?

John

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

The Mitsubishi 380 was built in Australia and was required to meet strict Australian Design Rules (ADR) which includes emission standards. To claim a 2007 vehicle which already achieves acceptable low emission levels can be improved by 86% is a huge call. What emissions are they claiming to reduce?

Your vehicle will have a ADR plate attached and should show the standard ADR 79/01. This means the vehicle meets the current emission standards in Australia and is equivalent to European standard 3. These standards will remain until 07/2010 when the updated ADR79/02 (Euro4) standards apply.

If you go ahead with this conversion you will be $197 worse off after one year even if the device meets its claimed fuel efficiency levels, so any gains would be long term and you would have to be prepared to keep the vehicle to recover your initial costs. I am also aware some of these conversions require additional servicing / checking a couple of times a year which is an additional cost you may need to factor in.

The NZAA recently released a press release on this subject in general.