The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile
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The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

During 2020, the cost of registering a gas installation for cars has risen. This led to a decrease in the interest of Ukrainian motorists in HBO. Compared to last year, equipment with alternative fuels was installed by 10 times fewer motorists.

Due to this situation on the market, the load of service stations engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of vehicles with gas equipment has noticeably decreased. Because of this, about 15 percent of Ukrainian companies had to change their profile (they began to engage in other types of auto repair services), and some closed altogether. Among these companies, there are also those that have completely abandoned the service of HBO.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

Most motorists are not yet ready to say goodbye to the idea of ​​converting their vehicles to gas or abandoning the already installed HBO. Many are sure that in their case it pays off. Nevertheless, these motorists include people whose material wealth does not allow them to re-equip their car with an expensive installation.

If someone needs to install equipment for alternative fuels, then on average they will have to pay about $ 500. It will be a quality Italian installation purchased from an official supplier and not from the aftermarket (as is often the case in garage cooperative workshops). If you buy a cheaper option (on average, a motorist can pay almost half of the original cost), then often problems begin in the car after a short period of time.

Compulsory Certification Law

Since the beginning of this year, each car that has undergone technical modernization at the service station must have the appropriate documents, on the basis of which the transport will be able to register at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

Before this law came into force, the car owner could confirm that the installed equipment was safe and of high quality in two ways:

  • Order an examination from a private technical expert;
  • Obtain a quality certificate from a company accredited by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Most often, motorists chose the first option, since it is the cheapest. Basically, it was enough to take a document of conformity in the workshop where the conversion was carried out. But with the entry into force of the law on compulsory certification, only the second option remained. Now, in order to get the corresponding certificate, the owner of the vehicle needs to pay more.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, there are only ten companies operating in Ukraine that have received permission to issue certificates. Their findings are based on the results of research from one of 400 specialized laboratories.

Until the beginning of 2020, the car owner could pay, depending on the region, 250-800 hryvnias for an act of technical expertise. Now certification costs 2-4 thousand UAH. This is in addition to the cost of equipment, as well as the work of the master.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

The reason for such a major change in legislation is the bad faith of some workshops. Such service stations did not carry out the required certification, but simply bought a document from someone who had the right to carry out the appropriate verification. The cost of the document was included in the price of all services provided.

Some of these firms were both a service station and a certifying entity. In fact, by providing a certificate of quality, such a company tested itself. The cost of the service was minimal, since the firm did not have to pay a specialist. This attracted motorists with a modest income. At the same time, the equipment and quality of the work performed could be poor, because of which the car could be dangerous on the road.

Regarding the changes that came into force this year, the technical director of Profigaz (a network of service stations specializing in the installation and repair of gas equipment), Yevgeny Ustimenko, commented:

“In fact, only the cost of certification has changed so far. Previously, there were also bona fide laboratories that checked the quality of products sold at third-party service stations. But with the entry into force of the law, the laboratories testing their own technical centers have not disappeared. "

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

At the same time, the owner of one of the accredited certification center (GBO-STO), Aleksey Kozin, believes that such changes will force the majority of unscrupulous laboratories to leave the market, and the situation with safe installations will improve slightly. As an example, Kozin gives one of the important conditions:

“The cylinder in modern LPG equipment must be equipped with an electromagnetic valve. This part prevents accidental gas leakage. In this case, the installer will not be able to use unsuitable accessories. Such a modification of LPG on all parts will be marked accordingly, which will immediately show an unauthorized replacement. "

"Collapse" of the popular sphere?

Almost every expert agrees that the decrease in demand for HBO is due to the increase in the cost of certification of HBO. An example of this is the load of garages that sell original equipment. So, over the course of a year, one UGA (Gas Engine Association of Ukraine) workshop re-equipped about four cars in a month. However, last year this load was about 30 cars for an identical period.

These data are also confirmed by the service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. So, in the second half of August 20, 37 thousand applications for approval of the design of vehicles were already recorded. Last year, about 270 thousand such documents were issued.

As a result of this situation, many service stations had to either close or spend money on the purchase of equipment and tools for carrying out work of a different profile. Maintenance of vehicles already equipped with LPG equipment does not allow getting the same profit as installation.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

Most of the closed workshops are cooperative garages. Those who have purchased the necessary licenses and premises suitable for large volumes of work are trying to continue working, expanding the scope of services.

But the situation also affected large technical centers in Ukraine. Due to the decrease in the volume of work, foremen are forced to look for another job, and in order to change the profile of specialists, companies are forced to conduct seminars and training. Now, in addition to knowledge about the operation of gas installations, specialists are learning to understand the intricacies of the functioning of engines and other units and systems of cars.

As A. Kozin, mentioned earlier, sums up the situation, the HBO service sector is currently experiencing a half-collapse.

The use of HBO will lose reason

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine registered 4 versions of the bill under number 4098, which relate to the difference in changes in the rates for excise duty on gas fuel. Any of them can put an end to a difficult situation in the market, which will bring cheap fuel to the level of gasoline or diesel.

In the saddest scenario, the cost of propane-butane can jump by as much as 4 hryvnia per liter. If this happens, then the difference between gasoline and gas will be practically negligible.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

In this regard, one does not need to be a specialist to ask the question: is there any reason to pay more than 10 thousand hryvnia to drive on fuel, only for 4 hryvnia. cheaper than gasoline? Depending on the car model, engine size and other conditions, conversion to gas will pay off in this case only after 50-60 thousand mileage.

Stepan Ashrafyan, head of the CAA, notes that often an ordinary motorist drives about 20 thousand km per year. The average operating life is approximately three to four years. In this case, the rise in gas prices will lead to the fact that only the next owner of a car sold in the secondary market will receive benefits.

In addition to the rise in the price of liquefied gas, the situation is exacerbated by the tightening of the conditions for certification of car re-equipment. Ultimately, high-quality equipment, a certificate, a set of parts and the work of a master will cost a maximum of about 20 thousand hryvnia.

Of course, the car owner can still choose a cheap option, which will cost him about eight thousand UAH. To do this, he will agree to the installation of dubious parts that can last a long period, or they can fail after a couple of thousand kilometers. Another "pitfall" is the lack of guarantees for such a budgetary HBO.

The popularity of HBO is rapidly falling: technical centers are changing their profile

Here is how the technical director of Profigaz explains the position of such a motorist:

“In essence, LPG equipment is a kind of constructor. The kit includes about forty elements. If a motorist pays for the installation of equipment worth 8 thousand hryvnias, then he will receive a set from "re-buys" Everything will be included in the set: from electrical tape on "twists" to nozzles. The cheapest leave about 20 thousand, and then they will require adjustment. "

For a car that is planned to be used in taxi mode, the most budgetary option will cost about UAH 14. In this case, the motorist will receive a 3-year warranty for the installation or for 100 thousand kilometers.

Learn more about what it consists of gas equipment.

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