RAC Gasoline View facts shows that petrol and diesel selling prices have already been Primarily risky in the final handful of years.

Combine this Along with the amplified government pressure on owners of diesel vehicles and the price and infrastructure issues about electric cars and trucks and it may lead to motorists seeking somewhere else.

So what of LPG, the seemingly perfect option which is been disregarded from the cold of late? Here we Have a look to view whether it is a viable solution or not.
Precisely what is LPG and how can it be created?

LPG means liquefied petroleum gas and is particularly a form of 'liquid fuel' which can be utilized as gas for a number of applications, which includes powering cars and trucks.

Also called butane and propane fuel, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-merchandise of your processing of all-natural fuel liquids along with the refining of crude oil.

When historically it had been intentionally burnt off and squandered, in the previous few many years it has been recognised as a versatile minimal-carbon gas – and applied productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid fuel’ seems to become a contradiction in phrases, it in fact describes a transparent fuel that turns to liquid when subjected to tension or cooling: it’s this attribute which allows it to be 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 autos’ which can operate on LPG and petrol. Some models, which include Dacia, have bought conversions within the manufacturing unit.

LPG

The benefit of this is obvious after you look at filling station prices 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 given that 2007.

Even though cars are not likely for being more gas-effective when running on LPG, you could potentially even now conserve a piece with your gasoline payments. At the time the price of the LPG conversion has become paid off, This may incorporate up to a major preserving – and the greater you travel, the more you help save.
Why is it not more widely utilised?

Even though LPG is broadly employed by houses and corporations, lower than just one p.c of vehicles on United kingdom streets are fuelled by it.

There are a selection of reasons why A lot of people are hesitant to transform their car to run on LPG but among the most important explanations is The dearth of incentives in the UK Authorities.

Though automobiles converted by accredited firms may perhaps qualify to save lots of on auto excise responsibility (VED), by staying classed being an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ car, the latest procedures mean these only help you save £ten a year on road tax.

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

Many of us don’t fully grasp the advantages and drawbacks of working an LPG car. Without the exact incentives as electrical autos, LPG just isn’t remaining promoted in britain. Numerous motorists basically aren’t aware of its existence.

Drivers also are concerned about the expense. Converting a petrol motor vehicle to run on LPG can Expense about £2,000, and there’s no ensure with the British isles authorities that it gained’t increase obligations on LPG Down the road. The cost of LPG has also elevated considerably in the last few yrs, slashing opportunity financial savings.

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

Whilst a few car manufacturers have previously experimented with providing manufacturing unit-in good shape LPG kits on new products (it's possible you'll come across ‘dual-fuel’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs during the classifieds), all of them offered in small quantities and, as a result, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed autos right now.

eleven solutions to Minimize your driving emissions
Can you actually save money heading electric?
Petrol or diesel? Info and quiz that may help you opt for

How offered is LPG?
Another reason why Lots of individuals are hesitant to transform their vehicle to operate on LPG is The issue in finding gas stations that provide it.

In accordance with the British isles trade association for that LPG business, UKLPG, there are actually 1,400 LPG refuelling stations across the country compared to all around more info eight,350 filling stations overall.

That means it’s tougher to uncover 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 Identify LPG stockists, though. You'll find now quite a few Web-sites and phone applications demonstrating your closest LPG service provider, and even permitting you Look at costs.

A number of the big gasoline station chains in some cases deliver LPG, including Shell, BP and Esso, as do grocery store petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Need to I change my auto to LPG?

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

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

Expensive to set up
Challenging – additional costs if it goes Erroneous and for servicing
Might be difficult to refill