RAC Gas Check out information displays that petrol and diesel prices are Particularly volatile in the last couple of a long time.

Merge this with the elevated authorities stress on owners of diesel cars and the cost and infrastructure issues around electric powered cars and trucks and it may lead to motorists seeking elsewhere.

Just what exactly of LPG, the seemingly great different that's been left out during the chilly of late? Right here we Have a look to check out whether it is a viable solution or not.
Precisely what is LPG and how could it be produced?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas which is a kind of 'liquid gasoline' that can be applied as fuel for a range of reasons, together with powering automobiles.

Also generally known as butane and propane gas, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-products in the processing of purely natural gas liquids plus the refining of crude oil.

While typically it had been intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the previous few decades it's been recognised as a versatile minimal-carbon gas – and applied productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid fuel’ seems to be a contradiction in terms, it truly describes a clear gas that turns to liquid when subjected to strain or cooling: it’s this characteristic that enables it to get saved in tanks in a very auto.

Most petrol cars can be fitted with an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Fuel) conversion, turning them into ‘twin-gas autos’ which will operate on LPG and also petrol. Some makes, for instance Dacia, have marketed 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 gasoline is very well underneath £1 a litre in 2024, Whilst petrol and diesel hasn't been below that determine due to the fact 2007.

Despite the fact that vehicles are not likely to get much more gasoline-productive when functioning on LPG, you could potentially even now conserve a piece in your gasoline payments. Once the price of the LPG conversion has been paid out off, This may include nearly a major preserving – and the more you generate, the greater you save.
Why is it not more greatly employed?

While LPG is widely utilized by households and companies, a lot less than one % of automobiles on British isles roadways are fuelled by it.

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

Although vehicles converted by authorized businesses could qualify to save on car excise duty (VED), by becoming classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ motor vehicle, the most up-to-date regulations signify these only preserve £10 each year on highway tax.

Very similar to electric cars, it’s a ‘hen and egg’ circumstance. With LPG-converted cars and trucks representing this sort of a little proportion of all cars on UK roadways, there’s minor incentive for filling stations to offer LPG. And when it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists will be hesitant to convert to LPG.

Many of us don’t recognize the advantages and drawbacks of operating an LPG motor vehicle. Without the exact incentives as electric autos, LPG just isn’t remaining promoted in the UK. Quite a few motorists merely aren’t conscious of its existence.

Motorists are also concerned about the price. Changing a petrol vehicle to run on LPG can Price tag around £2,000, and there’s no warranty in more info the United kingdom govt that it received’t raise duties on LPG Later on. The price of LPG has also greater significantly in the final handful of many years, slashing likely price savings.

This uncertainty can make it difficult to promote an LPG-converted automobile, that means you’ll battle to get your money back if you do buy a conversion and then sell the vehicle.

Whilst a handful of motor vehicle brands have up to now experimented with featuring manufacturing unit-healthy LPG kits on new types (you could possibly uncover ‘dual-gasoline’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs from the classifieds), they all sold in compact figures and, as such, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed automobiles now.

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How obtainable is LPG?
Another excuse why Lots of individuals are reluctant to convert their car to run on LPG is The issue in finding gas stations that deliver it.

According to the United kingdom trade Affiliation for your LPG marketplace, UKLPG, you will find one,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation in comparison with all-around 8,350 filling stations All round.

Which means it’s more challenging to locate LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly if you reside in a very rural area in which filling stations are scarcer.

It can be getting easier to locate LPG stockists, even though. You will discover now numerous Web sites and cellphone apps displaying your nearest LPG provider, as well as letting you Evaluate fees.

Several the big fuel station chains sometimes give LPG, which include 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's summarise the pluses and minuses of converting your car to LPG.
Execs

Much less expensive than petrol and diesel
Minimized CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of the leak, so very low chance

Disadvantages

Costly to setup
Challenging – additional costs if it goes Erroneous and for servicing
Might be difficult to refill