AUTOFORUM - Informed and innovative

LPGSA and RMI to host South Africa's first dedicated AutoGas workshop

Jun 23, 2026 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSA), Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), AutoGas Workshop


LPGSA and RMI to host South Africa's first dedicated AutoGas workshop

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSA), in association with the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), will host South Africa's inaugural AutoGas Workshop on 3 July 2026 at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways providing key insights into one of South Africa's emerging alternative fuel markets.

South Africa’s transport sector is under pressure like never before. Rising fuel costs, volatile supply chains, and intensifying calls to curb carbon emissions are forcing the industry to reimagine how goods and people move. According to global benchmarks, South Africa ranks eighth among the 50 countries with the highest CO₂ emitting power sectors – a sobering reminder of the urgency to change.

AutoGas (LPG) is an emerging and rapidly expanding market in South Africa and represents a practical near-term intervention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants. While not a zero-emission solution, it offers a critical transitional fuel that supports the country's broader decarbonisation objectives, improves urban air quality and strengthens energy security.

Globally, AutoGas is the most widely used alternative automotive fuel, with more than 28 million vehicles and over 82,000 refuelling stations operating worldwide. Countries such as Turkey, South Korea, Poland and India have demonstrated how AutoGas can play a meaningful role in cleaner mobility strategies while delivering significant cost savings for motorists and fleet operators.

The workshop will provide essential guidance on national transport policies, cleaner mobility initiatives and the regulatory frameworks shaping the future of transport energy. Significantly, LPGSA has also secured participation from the World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA), with international experts from Poland, India, Turkey and other established AutoGas markets on hand to share their experiences and best practices.

Gadibole Dihlabi, Managing Director of LPGSA, says the workshop represents an important milestone in building a safe, credible and sustainable AutoGas industry. "South Africa has a unique opportunity to develop an AutoGas sector that delivers affordable mobility, cleaner transport solutions and greater energy resilience. This workshop is about equipping businesses and technical practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate safely and successfully in the market. It is also about building credibility and ensuring that the industry develops on a strong foundation of safety, compliance and professionalism."

Attie Serfontein, National Director of the Automotive Remanufacturers’ Association (ARA), a proud association of the RMI, agrees saying the emergence of AutoGas presents exciting opportunities for automotive businesses and technicians. He says the RMI, through ARA, has been championing its GreenDrive initiative for a couple of years now embracing the transition to new energy vehicles. GreenDrive reflects the RMI’s strategy to not only support its members, but to inspire South Africa’s transition to cleaner, more efficient mobility solutions. Over the last five years the RMI has been successfully piloting Autogas as a great alternative energy option for the immediate future.

“Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), is a proven alternative fuel with real-world benefits for both individual motorists and fleet operators. LPG delivers up to 50% savings compared to petrol and around 30% compared to diesel. From an environmental perspective, LPG reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 21%, fine particulate matter by up to 95%, and dramatically cuts harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx). For fleet owners navigating tight margins and increasing pressure to decarbonise, those numbers speak volumes.”

“This is not a theoretical solution – it’s a practical, accessible technology available right now in South Africa’s aftermarket. As vehicle technologies evolve and cleaner mobility solutions gain momentum, workshops and technical professionals must be ready to adapt,” concludes Serfontein.

Back