RAC Fuel Observe details exhibits that petrol and diesel prices are Specifically unstable in the last few several years.

Blend this With all the enhanced govt force on house owners of diesel autos and the associated fee and infrastructure fears all-around electric powered autos and it may lead to motorists seeking elsewhere.

Just what exactly of LPG, the seemingly great choice that is been left out during the chilly of late? Right here we take a look to find out no matter if it's a practical selection or not.
What exactly is LPG And exactly how could it be made?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas which is a kind of 'liquid fuel' which can be used as gas for a variety of needs, such as powering autos.

Also known as butane and propane gas, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-product or service in the processing of purely natural gas liquids together with the refining of crude oil.

Whilst ordinarily it was deliberately burnt off and wasted, in the previous few decades it's been recognised as a versatile small-carbon fuel – and employed productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid gasoline’ seems to generally be a contradiction in conditions, it really describes a clear gas that turns to liquid when subjected to strain or cooling: it’s this characteristic that enables it being saved in tanks inside of a vehicle.

Most petrol vehicles could be fitted using an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gasoline) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-gasoline cars and trucks’ that can operate on LPG as well as petrol. Some brands, such as Dacia, have sold conversions from the manufacturing unit.

LPG

The benefit of this is obvious once you take a look at filling station costs for the two fuels: LPG gasoline is very well underneath £1 a litre in 2024, While petrol and diesel has not been beneath that determine because 2007.

Even though autos are unlikely being a lot more gasoline-economical when operating on LPG, you may nevertheless conserve a piece on the gas expenses. The moment the price of the LPG conversion has been compensated off, this could insert approximately an important preserving – and the greater you drive, the greater you conserve.
Why can it be not more broadly made use of?

Despite the fact that LPG is widely used by residences and companies, below one % of autos on British isles roads are fuelled by it.

There are read more a variety of explanation why many people are reluctant to convert their automobile to run on LPG but considered one of the biggest factors is the lack of incentives through the United kingdom Govt.

Whilst cars transformed by authorised companies might qualify to save on car excise duty (VED), by being classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ motor vehicle, the latest guidelines imply these only conserve £10 per annum on highway tax.

Very similar to electric cars, it’s a ‘hen and egg’ circumstance. With LPG-converted cars and trucks symbolizing 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.

Lots of individuals don’t recognize the advantages and drawbacks of operating an LPG motor vehicle. Without the exact incentives as electric cars and trucks, LPG just isn’t remaining promoted in the UK. Lots of motorists just aren’t aware about its existence.

Motorists may also be worried about the expense. Converting a petrol car or truck to operate on LPG can Price just as much as £two,000, and there’s no ensure within the UK government that it gained’t raise responsibilities on LPG Sooner or later. The cost of LPG has also greater significantly in the final couple of many years, slashing likely price savings.

This uncertainty can make it difficult to promote an LPG-converted automobile, indicating you’ll battle to Get the a reimbursement if you do pay for a conversion after which market the car.

Though several automobile makers have before experimented with giving manufacturing facility-suit LPG kits on new designs (you could discover ‘twin-gas’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs while in the classifieds), they all bought in smaller numbers and, as such, only Dacia sells new LPG converted automobiles these days.

11 solutions to Minimize your driving emissions
Can you truly save cash likely electric powered?
Petrol or diesel? Information and quiz that can assist you select

How readily available is LPG?
Another excuse why A lot of people are hesitant to convert their motor vehicle to operate on LPG is The issue to find gas stations that deliver it.

Based on the UK trade Affiliation for your LPG industry, UKLPG, there are actually 1,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation as compared to all around 8,350 filling stations Total.

Which means it’s more challenging to discover LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly if you reside inside a rural spot where filling stations are scarcer.

It really is finding much easier to Identify LPG stockists, though. You can find now a lot of Web-sites and telephone apps showing your nearest LPG provider, as well as letting you Evaluate expenditures.

Numerous the massive gasoline station chains at times give LPG, like Shell, BP and Esso, as do supermarket petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Must I change my automobile to LPG?

Let's summarise the advantages and disadvantages of converting your automobile to LPG.
Execs

More cost-effective 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
Intricate – added expenses if it goes Completely wrong and for servicing
Is often tough to replenish