If you are trying to reduce the impact your car travel has on the environment, and your pocket, an LPG car is one alternative to consider. LPG (liquid petroleum gas) is a blend of propane and butane and is by product of oil refining or from natural gas (methane) fields. Running an LPG car has a number of advantages over petrol or diesel vehicles.
Compared to petrol an LPG car reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 10%-15% which is on a par with a diesel engine. Nitrous oxide emissions, however, are 80% lower than a diesel engine and there are zero particulate emissions. In terms of the maintenance schedule, this is the same for an LPG car as other vehicles and there should be no difference in the car’s performance.
There are a couple of ways to obtain an LPG car. You can convert your existing petrol engine at a cost of between £1200 and £2700, or you can buy a new car and arrange for a manufacturer approved conversion.
So what will it cost me thereafter? An LPG car is on average about 30% cheaper to run than its petrol equivalent (about the same as a diesel car) and the fuel price is about half that of petrol. In terms of refuelling there are about 1200 refuelling stations now in the UK, most of which are traditional forecourts. In addition, LPG cars do not pay London’s congestion charge and you have a lower personal benefit in kind tax liability.
The disadvantages are that you may lose a small amount of boot space in order to make room for the LPG tank, and LPG vehicles are not currently permitted on the channel tunnel, although this is under review.
For more information on LPG vehicles visit www.est.org.uk
Thinking of converting to an alternative fuel? Take a look at our step by step Alternative Fuel Conversion guide.
