RAC Fuel Watch knowledge 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 about electric cars and trucks and it could lead on to motorists wanting somewhere else.

So what of LPG, the seemingly suitable alternate that is been neglected within the chilly of late? Listed here we take a look to see regardless of whether it is a feasible choice or not.
What is LPG And just how is it designed?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum fuel and it is a variety of 'liquid gasoline' which can be utilized as gas for a number of uses, which includes powering cars and trucks.

Also called butane and propane gas, or autogas in motoring circles, it is the by-merchandise on the processing of natural gasoline liquids together with the refining of crude oil.

Even though traditionally it was deliberately burnt off and wasted, in the previous few many years it has been recognised as a versatile reduced-carbon gas – and applied productively.

Even though the phrase ‘liquid fuel’ seems to become a contradiction in terms, it truly describes a clear gasoline that turns to liquid when subjected to force or cooling: it’s this attribute that enables it to generally be saved in tanks in a very car or truck.

Most petrol autos is often equipped by having an LPG (Liquid Petroleum Fuel) conversion, turning them into ‘dual-fuel vehicles’ that will run on LPG along with petrol. Some brand names, including Dacia, have offered conversions from your factory.

LPG

The benefit of this is evident any time you check out filling station selling prices for the two fuels: LPG fuel is perfectly less than £1 a litre in 2024, whereas petrol and diesel has not been beneath that figure since 2007.

Whilst autos are unlikely to generally be extra gas-efficient when jogging on LPG, you might nevertheless save a chunk on your gasoline costs. When the expense of the LPG conversion has become compensated off, This might insert around an important saving – and the more you travel, the more you preserve.
Why can it be not more extensively made use of?

Though LPG is commonly used by houses and enterprises, 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 convert their car or truck to operate on LPG but amongst more info the biggest causes is The shortage of incentives through the United kingdom Govt.

Whilst cars and trucks converted by accepted firms may perhaps qualify to save lots of on auto excise responsibility (VED), by staying classed as an ‘alternatively-fuelled’ automobile, the most recent guidelines imply these only conserve £ten every year on street tax.

Much like electric powered autos, it’s a ‘rooster and egg’ scenario. With LPG-transformed vehicles symbolizing these a little proportion of all motor vehicles on United kingdom roads, there’s minimal incentive for filling stations to supply LPG. And when it’s hard to find filling stations stocking it, motorists will probably be unwilling to convert to LPG.

Many people don’t have an understanding of the positives and negatives of managing an LPG vehicle. With no exact same incentives as electrical cars, LPG only isn’t becoming promoted in britain. Numerous motorists only aren’t aware of its existence.

Motorists also are worried about the expense. Converting a petrol car or truck to operate on LPG can Expense just as much as £2,000, and there’s no ensure within the UK authorities that it gained’t increase obligations on LPG Down the road. The price of LPG has also improved considerably in the final number of decades, slashing possible personal savings.

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

Whilst a handful of car manufacturers have in the past experimented with offering manufacturing unit-in good shape LPG kits on new styles (it's possible you'll come across ‘dual-fuel’ Fords, Dacias, Vauxhalls, Protons and Saabs in the classifieds), all of them offered in little quantities and, as a result, only Dacia sells new LPG transformed automobiles these days.

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How available is LPG?
One more reason why Lots of people are unwilling to convert their car or truck to run on LPG is The problem find fuel stations that present it.

According to the United kingdom trade Affiliation for the LPG marketplace, UKLPG, you will find 1,four hundred LPG refuelling stations across the nation in comparison with all-around 8,350 filling stations Total.

Meaning it’s more difficult to discover LPG than petrol or diesel, particularly when you reside in a rural location wherever filling stations are scarcer.

It's acquiring simpler to Identify LPG stockists, though. You'll find now quite a few Web-sites and phone apps showing your closest LPG service provider, and even letting you compare expenses.

Numerous the big fuel station chains sometimes provide LPG, such as Shell, BP and Esso, as do grocery store petrol stations, notably some Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stations.
Should I transform my car or truck to LPG?

Let's summarise the advantages and drawbacks of changing your car to LPG.
Execs

Much less expensive than petrol and diesel
Lessened CO2 emissions
Quieter than diesel engines
Evaporates in the case of the leak, so small possibility

Downsides

Costly to setup
Intricate – further expenses if it goes wrong and for servicing
Is usually tough to replenish