RAC Fuel Look at details demonstrates that petrol and diesel prices are actually Particularly volatile in the last few years.

Combine this While using the amplified government strain on homeowners of diesel vehicles and the price and infrastructure issues around electric powered automobiles and it may lead to motorists on the lookout elsewhere.

What exactly of LPG, the seemingly ideal alternate that is been disregarded within the chilly of late? Listed here we Have a look to determine regardless of whether it is a practical alternative or not.
What exactly is LPG And just how can it be built?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gasoline and is particularly a kind of 'liquid fuel' that can be applied as gasoline for a variety of applications, together with powering autos.

Also known as butane and propane gasoline, or autogas in motoring circles, it's the by-product with the processing of pure fuel liquids in addition to the refining of crude oil.

Although traditionally it was intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the last few many years it has been recognised as a versatile lower-carbon gas – and used productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid gas’ seems being a contradiction in phrases, it truly describes a clear fuel that turns to liquid when subjected to strain or cooling: it’s this characteristic which allows it to be stored in tanks within a car.

Most petrol automobiles can be equipped with the LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘twin-gas cars and trucks’ that will run on LPG and also petrol. Some makes, such as Dacia, have bought conversions from the manufacturing facility.

LPG

The benefit of this is clear whenever you look at filling station rates for the two fuels: LPG fuel is effectively underneath £1 a litre in 2024, Whilst petrol and diesel has not been under that determine given that 2007.

Despite the fact that cars and trucks are unlikely being more gas-efficient when running on LPG, you can nevertheless help save a piece on the fuel bills. Once the price of the LPG conversion is compensated off, This may include around a major conserving – and the greater you drive, the more you preserve.
Why can it be no more extensively made use of?

Whilst LPG is widely utilized by residences and firms, fewer than one particular % of cars and trucks on UK roadways are fuelled by it.

There are a number of explanations why Lots of individuals are unwilling to convert their automobile to run on LPG but considered one of the biggest explanations is the lack of incentives through the British isles Govt.

Although cars and trucks transformed by authorised organizations could qualify to save lots of on auto excise obligation (VED), by staying classed as an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ motor vehicle, the most up-to-date rules imply these only preserve £10 per year on road tax.

Very like electric automobiles, it’s a ‘chicken and egg’ circumstance. With LPG-converted vehicles representing this sort of a little proportion of all motor vehicles on UK streets, there’s small incentive for filling stations to supply LPG. And if it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists will likely be hesitant to convert to LPG.

Many individuals don’t comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of managing an LPG motor vehicle. Without the identical incentives as electric cars and trucks, LPG simply just isn’t remaining promoted in britain. Quite a few motorists basically aren’t conscious of its existence.

Motorists will also be concerned about the expenditure. Changing a petrol auto to run on LPG can Price around £2,000, and there’s no assure through the British isles governing administration that it gained’t raise duties on LPG Later on. The price of LPG has also improved considerably in the last number of many years, slashing probable cost savings.

This uncertainty will make it difficult to provide an LPG-transformed vehicle, which means you’ll battle to Get the a refund if you do buy a conversion and then provide the vehicle.

Whilst a handful of car or truck suppliers have in the past experimented with supplying manufacturing unit-match LPG kits on new designs (you read more may obtain ‘twin-gasoline’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs while in the classifieds), all of them offered in modest numbers and, as such, only Dacia sells new LPG converted vehicles currently.

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How obtainable is LPG?
Another excuse why Lots of individuals are reluctant to convert their vehicle to run on LPG is The problem find fuel stations that deliver it.

Based on the UK trade Affiliation for the LPG market, UKLPG, there are actually 1,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation in comparison to around 8,350 filling stations Over-all.

Meaning it’s more difficult to seek out LPG than petrol or diesel, especially if you live in a very rural location where by filling stations are scarcer.

It really is getting easier to Find LPG stockists, nevertheless. There are actually now various websites and cellular phone apps showing your closest LPG supplier, and in many cases letting you compare costs.

Numerous the massive gas station chains occasionally present LPG, like Shell, BP and Esso, as do grocery store petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Must I change my vehicle to LPG?

Let us summarise the positives and negatives of changing your car to LPG.
Execs

More cost-effective than petrol and diesel
Diminished CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of a leak, so minimal threat

Disadvantages

Pricey to setup
Difficult – excess fees if it goes Erroneous and for servicing
Can be hard to fill up