RAC Fuel View data displays that petrol and diesel costs are actually Specially unstable in the last number of decades.

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

What exactly of LPG, the seemingly perfect option which is been ignored in the chilly of late? Listed here we take a look to find out whether it is a viable option or not.
What is LPG And just how is it built?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum fuel and is also a kind of 'liquid fuel' that may be used as gas for a variety of uses, which includes powering cars and trucks.

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

Even though customarily it had been deliberately burnt off and squandered, in the previous few many years it's been recognised as a versatile minimal-carbon gas – and made use of productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid gas’ appears for being a contradiction in phrases, it essentially 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 in the car or truck.

Most petrol cars and trucks can be fitted with an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) conversion, turning them into ‘twin-gasoline cars and trucks’ that can run on LPG as well as petrol. Some brands, such as Dacia, have sold conversions through the manufacturing facility.

LPG

The advantage of this is evident any time you check out filling station selling prices for the two fuels: LPG fuel is well less than £one a litre in 2024, whereas petrol and diesel has not been beneath that figure because 2007.

Although autos are unlikely to be extra gas-effective when functioning on LPG, you could possibly even now conserve a piece in your gasoline payments. Once the price of the LPG conversion continues to be compensated off, this could incorporate as much as a big saving – and the more you travel, the more you preserve.
Why can it be no more extensively applied?

Despite the fact that LPG is widely utilized by residences and companies, 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 auto to operate on LPG but amongst the biggest causes is The shortage of incentives with the British isles Government.

Though automobiles converted by accepted firms may well qualify to save lots of on car or truck excise responsibility (VED), by staying classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ auto, the newest policies indicate these only preserve £10 per year on highway tax.

Very similar to electric cars, it’s a ‘chicken and egg’ situation. With LPG-transformed automobiles representing such a little proportion of all automobiles on UK streets, there’s tiny 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 people don’t recognize the advantages and drawbacks of operating an LPG vehicle. With no exact same incentives as electric powered vehicles, LPG simply just isn’t currently being promoted in britain. A lot of motorists simply aren’t conscious of its existence.

Motorists can also be worried about the expenditure. Converting a petrol auto to operate on LPG can Price just as much as £two,000, and there’s no assure with the British isles authorities that it gained’t increase obligations on LPG in the future. The price of LPG has also improved considerably in the final number of decades, slashing potential cost savings.

This uncertainty may make it tricky to sell website an LPG-transformed car, which means you’ll struggle to get your money back if you do buy a conversion and then sell the vehicle.

Although a few car producers have prior to now experimented with offering factory-fit LPG kits on new models (you may find ‘twin-gas’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs within the classifieds), they all marketed in modest numbers and, therefore, only Dacia sells new LPG converted vehicles today.

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How available is LPG?
One more reason why Lots of people are unwilling to convert their car or truck to run on LPG is The problem find fuel stations that present it.

According to the United kingdom trade Affiliation for that LPG business, UKLPG, you will discover one,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the country when compared to about 8,350 filling stations Over-all.

That means it’s harder to seek out LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly when you reside inside a rural spot where by filling stations are scarcer.

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

Several the large fuel station chains at times supply LPG, like Shell, BP and Esso, as do supermarket petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Ought to I convert my car to LPG?

Let us summarise the positives and negatives of converting 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 hazard

Drawbacks

High priced to put in
Complex – extra expenditures if it goes Erroneous and for servicing
Is usually difficult to fill up