RAC Fuel View facts reveals that petrol and diesel selling prices have already been especially volatile in the final handful of many years.

Mix this with the elevated authorities stress on proprietors of diesel vehicles and the price and infrastructure issues close to electric cars and trucks and it could lead on to motorists on the lookout in other places.

What exactly of LPG, the seemingly best option which is been disregarded from the cold of late? In this article we Have a look to view irrespective of whether it is a viable solution or not.
Precisely what is LPG and how can it be produced?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas which is a sort of 'liquid fuel' that may be made use of as fuel for several different needs, including powering autos.

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

Although customarily it was deliberately burnt off and wasted, 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 fuel’ seems to become a contradiction in phrases, it in fact describes a transparent gasoline that turns to liquid when subjected to tension or cooling: it’s this attribute which allows it to become stored in tanks inside a automobile.

Most petrol automobiles is often equipped by having an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-gas automobiles’ which can operate on LPG and petrol. Some brands, such as Dacia, have sold conversions from the manufacturing unit.

LPG

The benefit of this is obvious once you examine 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 figure because 2007.

Even though cars and trucks are unlikely to become extra gas-efficient when functioning on LPG, you might nevertheless save a bit on your gas bills. The moment the cost of the LPG conversion has actually been paid off, This might add as many as a substantial conserving – and the greater you drive, the more you help you save.
Why is it not more commonly utilized?

While LPG is widely utilized by residences and businesses, below one % of automobiles on British isles roadways are fuelled by it.

There are a number of reasons why Many individuals are unwilling to transform their motor vehicle to operate on LPG but certainly one of the greatest good reasons is The shortage of incentives within the British isles Government.

Even though vehicles converted by authorized businesses could qualify to save on car excise duty (VED), by becoming classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ car, the latest procedures necessarily mean these only help you save £10 every year on street tax.

Much like electric powered autos, it’s a ‘rooster and egg’ scenario. With LPG-transformed automobiles representing such a little proportion of all automobiles on British isles streets, there’s small incentive for filling stations to offer LPG. And when it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists are going to be reluctant to transform to LPG.

Many people don’t have an understanding of the positives and negatives of running an LPG car or truck. With no identical incentives as electric powered vehicles, LPG simply just isn’t becoming promoted in the united kingdom. Numerous motorists only aren’t aware of its existence.

Drivers also are concerned about the cost. Changing a petrol motor vehicle to run on LPG can Value about £2,000, and there’s no promise within the UK federal government that it gained’t elevate obligations on LPG in the future. The price of LPG has also improved considerably in the final handful of many years, slashing prospective discounts.

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

Whilst a handful of car manufacturers have in the past experimented with offering manufacturing unit-healthy LPG kits on new styles (chances are you'll uncover ‘dual-gasoline’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs during the classifieds), they all sold in small quantities and, as such, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed autos right now.

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How out there is LPG?
One more reason why many people are hesitant to transform their automobile to operate on LPG is the difficulty to find gasoline stations that supply it.

In accordance with click here the UK trade association for that LPG business, UKLPG, you will discover one,400 LPG refuelling stations across the country as compared to all-around 8,350 filling stations Total.

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

It is actually obtaining easier to Find LPG stockists, however. There are actually now numerous Internet sites and mobile phone applications exhibiting your nearest LPG supplier, and in some cases allowing you Assess charges.

A variety of the large gas station chains often give LPG, like Shell, BP and Esso, as do supermarket petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Must I convert my car to LPG?

Let us summarise the advantages and drawbacks of changing your vehicle to LPG.
Pros

Cheaper than petrol and diesel
Lessened CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the situation of a leak, so small possibility

Downsides

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