LPG Vans - Autogas for hire at Budget

Budget Rent a Car is one of the world's top three car and van rental companies, operating in more than 120 countries and territories across the world. With a worldwide fleet size of around 265,000 vehicles. It is no surprise that such a market leader would carefully consider ways in which to maintain the highest levels of service and other the best deals to its customers - whilst simultaneously improving its impact on the environment.

Budget was the first car rental company to commit to the promotion of fuels such as LPG, as part of its global eco-strategy: promoting alternative fuels and innovative transport solutions in order to meet customer, governmental and environmental demands, and seeking to innovate and set industry standards wherever possible.

In addition to its WorldClass Fleet of luxury vehicles, people movers, executive saloons, motorbikes and vans fuelled by petrol or diesel, Budget offers a range of alternative energy vehicles. Electric and LPG vehicles were introduced in France in 1996, and Budget pioneered electric vehicles in the USA in 1998 - but when it decided to contribute to the reduction of vehicle emissions in the UK, Budget concluded that Calor Autogas was the best solution. In support of the government's green transport initiatives, in early 1998 Budget added 50 LPG-powered Ford Mondeos to its UK fleet.

Roddy Graham, sales and marketing director at Budget UK, explained: "The first ever gas-powered cars available for hire are not only cleaner, but have the added advantages of being more cost efficient for business and leisure travellers due to their lower refuelling costs. Research shows that, taking into account average fuel prices; drivers can save nearly 40% on the cost of fuel by running their vehicles on LPG."

Budget's Mondeos were supplied direct by Ford UK, ready converted to a dual-fuel system and therefore able to run on LPG or petrol from the outset. Based at its London Victoria and London Heathrow Airport locations, the cars are all refuelled at Heathrow where Budget has its own Calor Autogas bulk tanks and fuel pump. Around 70% of Budget's car rentals are made from airport locations, and the high number of tourists making use of Budget's LPG-powered cars, whilst visiting the capital, was one of the main reasons why the company won the prestigious British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award for the UK, in October 1998.

Customers travelling longer distances may use the national network of LPG refuelling point which are located on petrol station forecourts and at other outlets - including a growing number of calor main dealers. The network is being continually developed through initiatives to provide Autogas alongside petrol and diesel on the forecourts of leading retail outlets nationwide.

Like many other fleet operators committed to LPG, Budget benefits greatly from operating its own refuelling facility, enjoying additional cost savings as well as much greater convenience. Its bulk storage tanks are refilled regularly via Calor's nationwide computerised delivery system, ensuring continuity of gas supply.

In addition to custom from the tourist trade, Budget's LPG-powered cars are hired by businessman and other private users. Roddy Graham added: "We have put into place a programme of evaluation to determine usagepatterns and customer comments relating to our LPG fleet.Although we are compiling the results on an ongoing basis, the initial reaction from our customers - and particularly business users - appears to be very positive."

Following the success of the Mondeos, Budget expanded its fleet six month later to include 10 LPG-powered LCVs: Ford Transit vans, also supplied ready converted direct from Ford UK. Within a year, the Transits had proved their worth and Budget added further Calor-powered vehicles to its UK fleet of LCVs. The vans are often rented on long-term contracts by small businesses and, says Roddy Graham, once drivers have experienced the vehicles first-hand, they are impressed by the cost savings and performance.

Roddy Graham concluded: "Budget is committed to supporting the government's drive to reduce air pollution throughout the country, combining customer choice with alternative, greener transport methods. We certainly feel that gas-powered vehicle provide our customers with another option, and also a wider choice than would otherwise be available from a rental company and, following their success in London, plan to extend the availability of Calor-powered cars and LCVs for hire to other areas of country in future.

*Based on fuel prices of 79.4ppl for petrol and 38.4ppl for LPG, and ratio of fuel consumption petrol: LPG at 1:1.25

Further Information

LPG - what is it?