If you are trying to reduce the impact your car travel has on the environment, and your pocket, LPG cars are one alternative to consider. LPG (liquid petroleum gas) is a blend of propane and butane and is a 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 LPG cars reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 10% but compared to a diesel vehicle CO2 emissions are about 10% higher. 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 LPG cars 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 from about £1500, or you can buy a new car and arrange for a manufacturer approved conversion. If you are having your car converted it is advisable to use a UKLPG Approved Autogas Installer as these are the only companies able to add the car to the UKLPG Vehicle Register. The register confirms that a vehicle has been converted safely and you can find out more on the Drivelpg website.
So what will it cost me thereafter? LPG cars on average are about 30% cheaper to run than its petrol equivalent (about the same as a diesel car). In terms of refuelling there are about 1400 refuelling stations now in the UK, most of which are traditional forecourts – visit the Drivelpg website to find a refuelling station near you. In addition, LPG cars do not usually pay London’s congestion charge.
The disadvantages are that you may lose a small amount of boot space in order to make room for the LPG tank, and LPG cars are not currently permitted on the channel tunnel.
For more information on LPG cars visit www.est.org.uk
Thinking of converting to an alternative fuel? Take a look at our step by step Alternative Fuel Conversion guide.
Source: www.est.org.uk and www.drivelpg.co.uk 2012
