RAC Gas Enjoy information shows that petrol and diesel prices are Particularly volatile in the last couple of a long time.

Merge this with the amplified govt tension on owners of diesel automobiles and the fee and infrastructure problems all around electrical vehicles and it could lead to motorists looking in other places.

What exactly of LPG, the seemingly best option that's been ignored during the cold of late? Listed here we take a look to see no matter whether it's a feasible choice or not.
What is LPG And just how is it created?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas and is particularly a style of 'liquid gas' that could be employed as gasoline for many different purposes, which include powering vehicles.

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

Though historically it had been intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the previous few decades it's been recognised as a versatile lower-carbon gasoline – and made use of productively.

Although the phrase ‘liquid gas’ appears for being a contradiction in phrases, it in fact describes a transparent fuel that turns to liquid when subjected to tension or cooling: it’s this attribute which allows it to be stored in tanks inside a automobile.

Most petrol automobiles might be fitted using an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-fuel cars’ that could run on LPG along with petrol. Some manufacturers, for example Dacia, have offered conversions from your factory.

LPG

The benefit of this is evident if you have a look at filling station charges for the two fuels: LPG gasoline is properly beneath £1 a litre in 2024, Whilst petrol and diesel hasn't been under that determine considering that 2007.

Despite the fact that vehicles are not likely to get much more gasoline-productive when operating on LPG, you could however conserve a piece with your gasoline payments. Once the price of the LPG conversion continues to be paid out off, This may incorporate up to a big saving – and the more you drive, the greater you help save.
Why is it not more greatly utilised?

Even though LPG is commonly employed by houses and corporations, fewer than one particular p.c of cars on UK streets are fuelled by it.

There are a variety of main reasons why A lot of people are hesitant to transform their motor vehicle to operate on LPG but certainly one of the greatest good reasons is The dearth of incentives within the British isles Government.

Even though vehicles converted by authorized organizations may possibly qualify to avoid wasting on motor vehicle excise obligation (VED), by getting classed as an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ vehicle, the latest policies indicate these only preserve £10 each year on highway tax.

Very like electrical vehicles, it’s a ‘hen and egg’ check here circumstance. With LPG-converted cars symbolizing these kinds of a small proportion of all motor vehicles on United kingdom roads, there’s minimal incentive for filling stations to supply LPG. And if it’s difficult to find filling stations stocking it, motorists is going to be unwilling to transform to LPG.

Many of us don’t fully grasp the advantages and drawbacks of managing an LPG vehicle. Without the same incentives as electrical cars, LPG only isn’t becoming promoted in britain. Numerous motorists only aren’t aware of its existence.

Drivers are concerned about the cost. Changing a petrol car to run on LPG can Value as much as £2,000, and there’s no promise from the UK governing administration that it won’t increase responsibilities on LPG Sooner or later. The cost of LPG has also increased substantially in the last couple of several years, slashing probable savings.

This uncertainty could make it tough to offer an LPG-transformed car or truck, this means you’ll wrestle to Get the a reimbursement if you need to do pay for a conversion after which market the car.

Though several automobile companies have before experimented with giving factory-match LPG kits on new models (you might find ‘twin-gas’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs within the classifieds), all of them marketed in tiny numbers and, therefore, only Dacia sells new LPG converted cars now.

11 methods to Slash your driving emissions
Can you really lower your expenses likely electrical?
Petrol or diesel? Facts and quiz to help you decide on

How obtainable is LPG?
Another excuse why Many individuals are reluctant to transform their vehicle to operate on LPG is The issue in finding gas stations that provide it.

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

Meaning it’s more difficult to seek out LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly if you reside inside of a rural region the place filling stations are scarcer.

It is actually getting easier to Find LPG stockists, however. You will discover now numerous Web sites and cellphone apps displaying your nearest LPG provider, as well as letting you Evaluate fees.

Several the big fuel station chains sometimes provide 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

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

Cons

Highly-priced to set up
Difficult – extra prices if it goes Mistaken and for servicing
Could be difficult to refill