Automotive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or Autogas is a popular and well established fuel in mainland Europe, with over 1 million vehicles running on Autogas in Italy and continental motorway service stations supplying Autogas as standard. Now, as more British cities look to reduce harmful emissions, Calor’s Paul Riding argues that the time has never been brighter for Autogas and points to Europe as the way of the future.
Over recent years, faced with the common problem of harmful exhaust fumes from petrol and diesel engines, authorities all over the world have taken measures to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. During the 1980’s, governments in mainland Europe, Australia and Japan realised the clean burning qualities of Autogas and took steps to promote its widespread use among motorists.
In Italy, Europe’s largest national consumer of LPG at over 1,322,000 tonnes, there are well over 1 million cars running on Autogas and a well developed refuelling network of 1,800 sites. Continued government support for the fuel has been a major catalyst in achieving its widespread use. Government initiatives, such as the abolition of road tax for gas powered vehicles, are one of a number of key incentives for Italian motorists.
In addition, when air pollution is particularly bad, petrol and diesel cars are compelled to drive on alternate days in 18 designated areas, whereas cars powered by Autogas are exempt from this measure.
In France, similar legislation has been implemented, allowing gas powered cars to drive unhindered on peak pollution days. In 1997, the French Clean Air Law was passed, giving more financial advantages to those converting vehicles to run on Autogas. Consequently, French motorists enjoy substantial reductions in excise duty on Autogas and some local authorities have been granted the freedom to reduce or even remove the vehicle excise duty tax on converted cars.
Today, such legislation is not just confined to our European neighbours, as British drivers already benefit from recent duty concessions on LPG. In the 2001 Budget, the UK government reduced the duty on Autogas by 3p per litre and committed to maintain this reduction until at least 2004. The availability of government backed PowerShift grants of up to 60 per cent towards the cost of conversion has also been a catalyst for change.
With forthcoming changes to the company car tax regime based on emissions, LPG makes even more sense.
At local government level the dangers of poor air quality in British cities have led authorities such as London, Oxford and Bristol to consider available options, ranging from designated air quality zones to no go areas for ‘dirty’ vehicles.
Recently, the Environment minister, Michael Meacher, announced the launch of a new information bulletin system, which would be available to the public, allowing easier monitoring of air quality. In Oxford, Stratford and Edinburgh, the open top tour bus operator Guide Friday now runs LPG powered buses and in doing so has followed the example of Vienna which has all its city centre buses running on LPG.
The statistics are clear enough. Diesel particulates are a recognised health risk and are a major contributory factor in urban air pollution. The fine particles, smaller than a virus, enter the lungs, causing inflammation, asthma and other respiratory problems.
If all of London’s taxi cabs were converted to Autogas, 3,000 tonnes less soot would be produced per year from vehicle emissions. In Japan, 90 per cent of all taxis are Autogas powered and manufacturers such as Nissan and Toyota all produce factory made mono fuel Autogas taxis.
Major car manufacturers have now recognised the potential in the British Autogas market, which is expected to rise from 39.000 LPG vehicles in 2001 to 250,000 by 2004. This autumn sees the arrival of Volvo’s Bi-fuel range, which will join Vauxhall’s Omega, Vectra, Astra and Zafira as popular choices for fleet operators looking to invest in factory, fitted LPG vehicles.
The arguments for Autogas have long been recognised. With 39,000 such vehicles already on UK roads and set to increase to 250,000 by 2004, a combination of environmental legislation, Government tax incentives and the demonstrated success of this cleaner fuel in other European countries, reinforce the view that the time is right to convert to Autogas.
KEY FACTS
- Autogas – automotive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – retails at around 37p per litre, half the price of petrol or diesel.
- The network of LPGA (LP Gas Association) approved conversion engineers is continually growing.
- The back to base and retail network is continually growing – with a new forecourt opening almost everyday, and Autogas refuelling sites expected to number 1,000 by the end of 2001.
- Poor air quality is responsible for causing or advancing 20,000 deaths and thousands more hospital admissions.
- Autogas produces 90 per cent fewer particulates than diesel. Particulates are a key health risk and a major contributor to urban air pollution.
- The Government has reduced the duty by 3p per litre and has commited to maintain the differential until at least 2004.
Contact - Claire Petty
For further information call Calor Autogas on 0800 992200
|
Calor Home Page
