Analysis of the readiness of key stakeholders to support car conversion to natural gas vehicles in Tanzania.

The study analyses the readiness of key stakeholders (organizations which are regulators oil and gas companies, Natural Gas Vehicle Users and conversion centers) to support the public to convert their cars to Natural Gas Vehicles. The specific objectives were to assess the perception of regulators, Natural Gas Vehicle Users, conversion centers, oil and gas companies on the influence of public awareness on Natural Gas Vehicles adoption, to assess the perception of regulators, Natural Gas Vehicle Users, conversion centers, oil and gas companies on the influence of financial incentives on Natural Gas Vehicles adoption and to assess the perception of regulators, Natural Gas Vehicle Users, conversion centers and oil and gas companies on the influence of technological investment on Natural Gas Vehicles adoption. Data was collected through questionnaires and interview from 112 respondents which comprised of organizations, Natural Gas Vehicle users and conversion centers. The data obtained through the questionnaire and interview were converted, coded and analysed through SPSS software and content analysis respectively. To address the study objectives descriptive statistics and mean statistics were carried to analyse quantitative data. The findings revealed that the majority of the public is not aware of the use of Natural Gas in cars. Financial incentives (subsidies, tax exemption, tax reductions, and loans) are not provided to the Natural gas vehicle users, conversion centers, oil and gas companies. Investment in new technology is low there is only one gas station, inadequate technical skills, and technology. The study recommended that the government should increase market demonstrations to influence the public to convert their cars. Also, conversion centers and the Compressed Natural Gas station should increase advertisement of the Natural gas Vehicles to influence the public to convert through media and showcase. Financial incentives should be provided to influence the public to convert their cars such as tax incentives, loans, and subsidies to the conversion centers and oil and gas companies. Furthermore, investment in new technical skills and techniques should be increased, the number of gas filling stations should be increased.