RAC Fuel View facts shows that petrol and diesel price ranges are already Particularly volatile in the last couple of several years.

Blend this Using the improved govt force on owners of diesel cars and the cost and infrastructure considerations close to electric cars and it could lead on to motorists looking in other places.

Just what exactly of LPG, the seemingly great different that's been overlooked in the chilly of late? Listed here we take a look to see whether or not it is a feasible option or not.
Exactly what is LPG And just how is it designed?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gasoline and it is a variety of 'liquid gas' which might be utilised as fuel for a range of functions, together with powering automobiles.

Also generally known as butane and propane gas, or autogas in motoring circles, it's the by-product on the processing of natural gasoline liquids and also the refining of crude oil.

Even though traditionally it was deliberately burnt off and wasted, in the previous couple of many years it has been recognised as a flexible reduced-carbon gas – and applied productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid fuel’ seems to be a contradiction in terms, it truly describes a clear gasoline that turns to liquid when subjected to force or cooling: it’s this attribute which allows it to generally be saved in tanks in a car.

Most petrol automobiles might be fitted using an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-fuel cars’ that may run on LPG in addition to petrol. Some brand names, like Dacia, have sold conversions in the factory.

LPG

The benefit of this is clear whenever you take a look at filling station costs for The 2 fuels: LPG gas is effectively below £one a litre in 2024, While petrol and diesel hasn't been less than that determine given that 2007.

Though cars are not likely for being much more gasoline-effective when running on LPG, you could potentially however conserve a piece with your gasoline charges. As soon as the price of the LPG conversion continues to be compensated off, this could insert as much as an important saving – and the more you travel, the more you preserve.
Why can it be no more extensively applied?

Though LPG is commonly employed by houses and corporations, lower than just one p.c of vehicles on United kingdom streets are fuelled by it.

There are a selection of main reasons why A lot of people are hesitant to convert their car or truck to operate on LPG but one of the largest motives is The shortage of incentives with the British isles Governing administration.

Even though vehicles converted by authorized organizations could qualify to avoid wasting on automobile excise duty (VED), by getting classed as an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ car, the latest procedures necessarily mean these only help you save £ten a year on road tax.

Very like electric powered automobiles, it’s a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. With LPG-transformed read more vehicles symbolizing these types of a small proportion of all automobiles on United kingdom roadways, there’s little incentive for filling stations to supply LPG. And when it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists are going to be unwilling to convert to LPG.

A lot of people don’t have an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of running an LPG motor vehicle. Without the exact incentives as electric automobiles, LPG just isn’t currently being promoted in the united kingdom. Lots of motorists only aren’t conscious of its existence.

Motorists may also be worried about the cost. Converting a petrol car to run on LPG can Value up to £2,000, and there’s no assure in the United kingdom authorities that it gained’t elevate obligations on LPG in the future. The price of LPG has also enhanced significantly in the final handful of many years, slashing likely price savings.

This uncertainty can make it hard to market an LPG-transformed car or truck, this means you’ll wrestle to Obtain your a reimbursement if you need to do purchase a conversion and afterwards offer the vehicle.

While some car or truck brands have up to now experimented with offering manufacturing unit-in good shape LPG kits on new products (it's possible you'll obtain ‘twin-fuel’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs within the classifieds), all of them offered in tiny figures and, as a result, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed cars and trucks now.

11 methods to cut your driving emissions
Can you truly cut costs going electric powered?
Petrol or diesel? Specifics and quiz to assist you to opt for

How obtainable is LPG?
Another excuse why Lots of individuals are reluctant to transform their car to operate on LPG is The issue to find gasoline stations that supply it.

In accordance with the UK trade association with the LPG market, UKLPG, there are 1,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation when compared with around 8,350 filling stations Total.

Meaning 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 locate LPG stockists, even though. You will discover now various Internet sites and cell phone applications demonstrating your closest LPG company, and perhaps permitting you Look at costs.

Numerous the big fuel station chains sometimes provide LPG, such as Shell, BP and Esso, as do supermarket petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Ought to I transform my motor vehicle to LPG?

Let us summarise the benefits and drawbacks of changing your automobile to LPG.
Professionals

Less costly than petrol and diesel
Diminished CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of the leak, so lower threat

Disadvantages

Costly to setup
Intricate – further expenses if it goes wrong and for servicing
Is usually tough to fill up