RAC Gas Look at knowledge displays that petrol and diesel prices have already been Primarily volatile in the final handful of many years.

Mix this with the greater federal government strain on homeowners of diesel cars and trucks and the associated fee and infrastructure fears about electric autos and it could lead to motorists hunting somewhere else.

So what of LPG, the seemingly perfect option which is been ignored during the cold of late? Right here we Have a look to check out regardless of whether it's a viable option or not.
What is LPG And just how is it designed?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum fuel and it is a type of 'liquid gasoline' that may be made use of as fuel for several different uses, which includes powering cars and trucks.

Also called butane and propane fuel, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-product or service from the processing of pure gas liquids plus the refining of crude oil.

While typically it absolutely was intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the last few a long time it's been recognised as a versatile very low-carbon gasoline – and utilized productively.

Although the phrase ‘liquid gasoline’ appears being a contradiction in terms, it in fact describes a transparent gasoline that turns to liquid when subjected to force or cooling: it’s this attribute which allows it to generally be saved in tanks in a automobile.

Most petrol automobiles is often equipped by having an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-gasoline cars’ that will operate on LPG and also petrol. Some makes, which include Dacia, have bought conversions within the manufacturing unit.

LPG

The benefit of this is obvious once you examine filling station rates for the two fuels: LPG gasoline is very well underneath £1 a litre in 2024, Whilst petrol and diesel has not been below that determine since 2007.

Whilst vehicles are not likely to become more gasoline-productive when managing on LPG, you may still help you save a chunk on the gas expenditures. At the time the cost of the LPG conversion has been paid out off, This may include up to a big saving – and the greater you generate, the greater you save.
Why could it be no more widely utilised?

Although LPG is broadly employed by houses and corporations, lower than just one p.c of cars 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 motor vehicle to operate on LPG but certainly one of the most important reasons is the lack of incentives in the UK Federal government.

Despite the fact that autos transformed by permitted providers may perhaps qualify to save lots of on vehicle excise responsibility (VED), by remaining classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ car or truck, the newest regulations signify these only help save £10 each click here year on highway tax.

Very like electrical vehicles, it’s a ‘hen and egg’ circumstance. With LPG-converted cars symbolizing these a small proportion of all vehicles on British isles streets, there’s small incentive for filling stations to provide LPG. And if it’s difficult to find filling stations stocking it, motorists might be reluctant to transform to LPG.

Many individuals don’t realize the pros and cons of functioning an LPG car or truck. Without the very same incentives as electric automobiles, LPG only isn’t getting promoted in britain. A lot of motorists merely aren’t mindful of its existence.

Motorists may also be worried about the expense. Converting a petrol car or truck to operate on LPG can Expense about £2,000, and there’s no ensure within the UK federal government that it received’t elevate duties on LPG Later on. The price of LPG has also greater significantly in the final couple of a long time, slashing opportunity cost savings.

This uncertainty may make it challenging to provide an LPG-transformed car, meaning you’ll struggle to get your a refund if you are doing buy a conversion and then sell the vehicle.

Although a few car producers have previously experimented with providing factory-fit LPG kits on new products (you may find ‘twin-fuel’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs within the classifieds), all of them marketed in tiny numbers and, therefore, only Dacia sells new LPG converted cars currently.

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How accessible is LPG?
Another excuse why Many individuals are reluctant to convert their motor vehicle to run on LPG is The problem in finding gas stations that deliver it.

According to the United kingdom trade Affiliation for your LPG field, UKLPG, you'll find one,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the country when compared to about 8,350 filling stations In general.

That means it’s harder to search out LPG than petrol or diesel, especially if you live within a rural place where filling stations are scarcer.

It really is finding much easier to locate LPG stockists, although. You can find now various websites and telephone apps showing your nearest LPG provider, and also letting you Examine fees.

Quite a few the large fuel station chains at times supply LPG, which includes 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 us summarise the benefits and drawbacks of changing your vehicle to LPG.
Pros

More affordable than petrol and diesel
Lowered CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of the leak, so minimal danger

Cons

Highly-priced to set up
Complex – extra prices if it goes Erroneous and for servicing
Could be difficult to refill