RAC Fuel View facts shows that petrol and diesel selling prices are already Specifically unstable in the final number of years.

Combine this with the elevated authorities stress on proprietors of diesel vehicles and the price and infrastructure considerations about electric cars and trucks and it could lead on to motorists hunting somewhere else.

So what of LPG, the seemingly perfect alternative which is been omitted inside the chilly of late? Below we take a look to find out whether it is a viable possibility or not.
What on earth is LPG And the way can it be manufactured?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gasoline and is particularly a type of 'liquid gasoline' that can be applied as fuel for several different needs, including powering automobiles.

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

Whilst ordinarily it absolutely was intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the previous few decades it's been recognised as a versatile very low-carbon gasoline – and utilized productively.

Although the phrase ‘liquid gas’ appears to get 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 to become stored in tanks within a motor vehicle.

Most petrol autos is often equipped by having an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-fuel vehicles’ that will run on LPG along with petrol. Some manufacturers, including 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 very well beneath £1 a litre in 2024, Whilst petrol and diesel has not been below that determine considering the fact that 2007.

While autos are unlikely to generally be additional fuel-economical when jogging on LPG, you might nonetheless help you save a bit in your fuel payments. Once the price of the LPG conversion is compensated off, this could insert as much as an important saving – and the more you push, the greater you preserve.
Why can it be no more extensively applied?

Even though LPG is commonly employed by houses and corporations, less 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 transform their car or truck to operate on LPG but one of the greatest motives is The shortage of incentives within the British isles Government.

Even though vehicles converted by accepted firms may well qualify to avoid wasting on motor vehicle excise obligation (VED), by currently being classed as an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ vehicle, the most recent guidelines imply these only save £ten every year on street tax.

Much like electric powered autos, it’s a ‘rooster and egg’ scenario. With LPG-transformed automobiles representing such a small proportion of all 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 will likely be reluctant to convert to LPG.

Lots of people don’t understand the advantages and disadvantages of jogging an LPG automobile. With no identical incentives as electric powered vehicles, LPG simply just isn’t getting promoted in britain. Several motorists simply just aren’t conscious of its existence.

Drivers are concerned about the expense. Converting a petrol car or truck to operate on LPG can Expense just as much as £two,000, and there’s no ensure within the UK federal government that it gained’t elevate obligations on LPG in the future. The price of LPG has also enhanced considerably in the final handful of years, slashing prospective discounts.

This uncertainty will make it difficult to sell an LPG-converted vehicle, indicating you’ll wrestle to Get the a reimbursement if you need to do purchase a conversion then offer the car.

Despite the fact that some car or truck suppliers have up to now experimented with featuring manufacturing unit-healthy LPG kits on new types (chances are you'll uncover ‘dual-gasoline’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs during the classifieds), all of them sold in small quantities and, as a result, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed autos nowadays.

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How readily available is LPG?
One more reason why many people are hesitant to transform their automobile to operate on LPG is the difficulty find fuel stations that present it.

According to the United kingdom trade Affiliation for the LPG marketplace, UKLPG, you will find 1,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation when compared with all-around 8,350 filling stations Total.

Meaning it’s more challenging to locate LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly if you reside inside of a rural region wherever filling stations are scarcer.

It is acquiring simpler to Track down LPG stockists, while. You will find now several Internet websites and cellular phone applications demonstrating your closest LPG service provider, and even letting you compare expenses.

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

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

More affordable than petrol and diesel
Lowered CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of a leak, so small possibility

Downsides

Pricey to install
Sophisticated – more fees if it goes Incorrect and for servicing
Is usually challenging to get more info fill up