Würzburg, March 7, 2006
In February, the Federal Council approved the amendments to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO), which regulate the future official testing of gas-powered vehicles. The industry magazine "kfz-betrieb" shows in its third special issue on gas-powered vehicles, which will be published on March 9, that these new rules will make life much easier for drivers of vehicles powered by LPG and natural gas.
From April 1, 2006, officially recognized workshops are permitted to carry out the gas system test (GAP). All gas vehicles must undergo this GAP in connection with the main inspection. Drivers can therefore continue to have all official inspections carried out at their garage.
Legislation has also made it much easier to register a vehicle if it has been retrofitted with a gas system. However, the prerequisite is that the gas system has been approved in accordance with European Directive ECE R 115. This is because a recognized workshop can then not only retrofit the system, but also carry out the gas system installation test (GSP) required from 1 April. The proof of this GSP then also serves as a template for the registration office to amend the vehicle documents accordingly. This means that the owner of the vehicle does not have to drive to an officially recognized expert at a technical test centre and have their car tested there. In future, this so-called individual approval will only be necessary if the gas system is not approved in accordance with ECE R 115.
In the special edition, "kfz-betrieb" also shows that LPG cars have now left their shadowy existence behind. Even the two major German car manufacturers, Volkswagen and Opel, which have so far relied exclusively on natural gas drives, are preparing LPG conversion kits for their vehicles. Customers will soon be able to have their vehicles fitted with LPG engines at brand dealers or conversion centers. For new vehicles, this will even be possible without invalidating the manufacturer's warranty.
"kfz-betrieb" is a trade magazine published by Vogel Auto Medien, Würzburg. The most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2005 and is the official organ of the German Motor Trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for over 40,000 car dealerships and workshops.
If you have any questions, please contact
Edgar Schmidt
Editorial office "kfz-betrieb" weekly journal & online
Vogel Auto Media
97064 Würzburg
Phone +49 931 418-28 19
Fax +49 931 418-27 80
E-mail: edgar_schmidt@vogel-automedien.de
