RAC Fuel View details shows that petrol and diesel selling prices have already been Primarily risky in the final handful of years.

Combine this While using the increased authorities stress on proprietors of diesel vehicles and the price and infrastructure concerns about electric cars and trucks and it could lead on to motorists wanting somewhere else.

So what of LPG, the seemingly perfect substitute that's been ignored from the cold of late? Here we Have a look to view irrespective of whether it's a viable solution or not.
Precisely what is LPG and how can it be created?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas and is particularly a form of 'liquid gas' that could be utilized as gas for a number of applications, like powering cars.

Also referred to as butane and propane fuel, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-solution of your processing of normal fuel liquids in addition to the refining of crude oil.

Though historically it absolutely was intentionally burnt off and wasted, in the last few a long time it's been recognised as a flexible small-carbon gasoline – and utilized productively.

Although the phrase ‘liquid gasoline’ appears being a contradiction in conditions, it basically describes a transparent fuel that turns to liquid when subjected to pressure or cooling: it’s this characteristic that allows it for being stored in tanks within a car or truck.

Most petrol autos is usually equipped having an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Fuel) conversion, turning them into ‘twin-gas automobiles’ that could run on LPG and also petrol. Some manufacturers, for example Dacia, have offered conversions from your factory.

LPG

The advantage of this is evident if you have a look at filling station charges for the two fuels: LPG fuel is perfectly underneath £1 a litre in 2024, whereas petrol and diesel has not been beneath that figure considering the fact that 2007.

Whilst autos are unlikely to generally be additional fuel-efficient when jogging on LPG, you might nevertheless help you save a bit on your gas expenses. At the time the price of the LPG conversion has been paid out off, This may incorporate up to a major preserving – and the more you generate, the greater you save.
Why could it be no more greatly employed?

Whilst LPG is extensively used by households and organizations, a lot less than 1 per cent of cars and trucks on UK roads are fuelled by it.

There are a variety of explanation why many people are reluctant to convert their automobile to run on LPG but considered one of the most significant factors is the lack of incentives from your United kingdom Govt.

Whilst cars and trucks transformed by authorised companies may qualify to save on vehicle excise responsibility (VED), by remaining classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ car or truck, the newest policies indicate these only preserve £10 per year on highway tax.

Very similar to electric cars, it’s a ‘hen and egg’ situation. With LPG-converted cars and trucks representing this sort of a little proportion of all automobiles on UK roadways, there’s minor incentive for filling stations to offer LPG. And when it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists are going to be hesitant to transform to LPG.

Lots of individuals don’t recognize the advantages and drawbacks of working an LPG motor vehicle. Without the exact incentives as electrical cars and trucks, LPG just isn’t being promoted in the united kingdom. Lots of motorists basically aren’t aware about its existence.

Drivers will also be worried about the expense. Converting a petrol motor vehicle to run on LPG can Expense about £2,000, and there’s no promise within the UK federal government that it gained’t elevate obligations on LPG in the future. The price of LPG has also improved considerably in the final handful of years, slashing prospective discounts.

This uncertainty will make it difficult to promote an LPG-converted vehicle, that means you’ll battle to get your money back if you do pay for a conversion and after that promote the car.

Although a couple of vehicle producers have previously experimented with supplying factory-fit LPG kits on new models (you may find ‘twin-fuel’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs within more info the classifieds), all of them marketed in tiny numbers and, therefore, only Dacia sells new LPG converted cars now.

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How offered is LPG?
Another reason why Lots of individuals are reluctant to transform their car to run on LPG is The issue in finding gas stations that provide it.

Based on the British isles trade association to the LPG industry, UKLPG, you can find one,400 LPG refuelling stations across the country when compared to about 8,350 filling stations Over-all.

That means it’s more difficult to seek out LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly when you reside within a rural place where filling stations are scarcer.

It really is finding much easier to Identify LPG stockists, though. You'll find now a lot of Web-sites and phone apps showing your closest LPG service provider, as well as letting you Evaluate expenses.

Several the big fuel station chains sometimes offer LPG, such as Shell, BP and Esso, as do grocery store petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Should really I transform my car or truck to LPG?

Let's summarise the pluses and minuses of converting your car to LPG.
Execs

Much less expensive than petrol and diesel
Minimized CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of the leak, so very low chance

Downsides

Costly to setup
Intricate – further expenses if it goes wrong and for servicing
Is often tough to replenish