LPG marked a major milestone today [Tuesday 4 December 2001] as an established fuel option for fleet managers, with the launch of the UK’s 1,000th Autogas retail outlet.
calor hailed the event as a significant incentive for fleet managers to convert to the cheaper, cleaner road fuel.
Infrastructure Commitment
"Fleet managers benefit from back to base bulk refuelling, backed up by a rapidly expanding UK refuelling infrastructure," said Calor's managing director, Howard Kerr. In addition, Calor gave a commitment to the biggest expansion to date of automotive LPG refuelling installations in the UK - up to a further 400 during 2002, representing the largest investment by Calor in this market in its history.
“The Autogas joint venture we’ve established with Shell Gas is rapidly building LPG as a commonplace sight at some of the UK’s highest profile Shell filling stations,” said Howard Kerr. “We’ve reached a major milestone today with the 1,000th UK LPG refuelling site and we will bring a further 400 on stream during the next year.”
There are currently over 50,000 LPG powered vehicles in the UK and this number is set to rise to 250,000 by 2004. Thanks to the Government’s commitment to less polluting fuels, LPG enjoys a significant tax advantage, which means that it sells at half the price of petrol or diesel - making LPG the real fuel alternative.
In addition, as local authorities face pressure from Government to implement air quality measures and London Mayor Ken Livingstone consulting on congestion charging, LPG may offer access to urban centres where petrol and diesel would be penalised.
Today's announced infrastructure expansion represents a commitment by the UK’s leading supplier of LPG - liquefied petroleum gas - to reflect the Government’s pledge to maintain current duty levels at 4.5p per litre until at least 2004, announced in the 2001 Budget.
The Government also confirmed last month that Powershift will continue its extensive grant scheme to fund up to 60 per cent of the typical £1,500 engine conversion costs, in addition for vehicles up to five years old - further reinforcing the conversion argument for fleet managers.
In addition, vehicle manufacturers such as Volvo, Vauxhall, LDV, Daewoo and Ford offer an increasing range of LPG models.
“We’ve maintained dialogue with Government for over five years on the need to recognise the substantial economic and environmental benefits of Autogas,” said Howard Kerr. “We’ve always emphasised a partnership approach to encourage the uptake of cleaner road fuels by motorists, and we’re continuing to ensure widespread availability of Autogas by helping to build the UK refuelling infrastructure.
“The Government is committed to maintaining financial incentives for motorists to choose cleaner fuels and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to this agenda,” he added.
LPG retails at around 37.9p per litre - half the price of petrol and diesel - and delivers substantial environmental benefits over both.
Source for 1,000th milestone is as follows.
England 767
Wales 78
Scotland 84
Offshore 2
(Source: LPGA list - updated 14/11/01- interrogated on the web 18.00 26/11/01)
Sub-Total 931
Northern Ireland 25
(Source: web links from the LPGA and ILPGA interrogated on the web 18.00 26/11/01) 25
Autogas Ltd updates accepted by the LPGA 26/11/01 43
Sub Total 999
Plus Shell Ranelagh, Ipswich 1
TOTAL 1,000
Contact - Mark Simpson
For further information call Calor Autogas on 0800 992200
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