In the Government’s pre-budget report published in November 2000, it was announced that the most promising alternative fuels would receive major duty concessions in the 2001 Budget. This 'Green Fuels Challenge' would consider practical alternative fuels that could deliver real and immediate improvements to local air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
At a House of Commons reception tomorrow (27/2/01), to be hosted by Helen Brinton MP and David Amess MP, the 'Green Fuels Challenge' submission made by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (LPGA) will be formally launched. The reception is sponsored by calor, the UK’s largest supplier of LPG, who are also making a number of commitments should LPG be awarded fiscal concessions under this scheme.
Helen Brinton MP and member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee states: “ I have long been a believer that the widespread adoption of LPG vehicles within the UK would make a major contribution to the achievement of the Government’s environmental objectives. I have a particular concern that poor air quality in our towns and cities is estimated to cause or advance over 20,000 deaths a year. The evidence provided in the LPGA’s submission proves beyond doubt that LPG provides incredible opportunities, even over the latest low sulphur fuels, to improve air quality in the UK.”
Howard Kerr, managing director of calor Ltd, added: “To support the LPGA’s powerful submission, calor has made some real commitments to accelerate the development of the automotive LPG market.”
If LPG is provided with significant concessions under the Green Fuels Challenge, Calor has pledged to undertake a number of major commitments, including the following activities:
- Open 200 LPG filling stations this year in anticipation of demand. We are prepared to commit to raising our investment even further to match any additional move to LPG.
- Install at least 20 refuelling stations a year for 3 years in key rural locations.
- Undertake a programme of 'greening' company fleets by installing depot and workplace LPG filling stations.
Calor has always seen the Green Fuels Challenge as an opportunity for industry and Government to work together to deliver the real economic and environmental benefits that LPG vehicles can provide for socially responsible motorists.
The LPGA submission contains clear new evidence that LPG fuelled vehicles provide significant air quality improvements and greenhouse gas reductions, even against the latest Euro III engines and against ULSD and ULSP. The highlights of these findings are as follows:
Air Quality: Emissions of Local Pollutants
The Green Fuels Challenge emphasises that there are particular problems in the AQS delivering on particulates, NOx and ozone – precisely those areas where LPG can be part of the solution:
- With LPG, PM10 and ultrafine particle emissions are a tiny fraction of those emitted from
diesel vehicles.
- NOx emissions from an LPG vehicle were up to one half those of petrol and around one-
tenth of those for diesel – even greater reductions can be experienced in urban use.
- LPG engines emit 60% less ozone precursors (VOC) than petrol.
Climate Change: Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
The Government’s Climate Change Programme targets a bundle of greenhouse gases. Of these gases the most relevant for LP gas vehicles is CO2 where the emissions are typically between 11% and 12% lower than ultra low sulphur petrol.
Overall Emissions Saving
With adequate fiscal incentives from the Government we estimate that we will have 250,000 vehicles running on LP gas by the end of 2004. These vehicles will cut emissions of key target pollutants (HC + NOx) by 680 tonnes per annum, based on the emissions from a typical Euro III vehicle doing 20,000 miles per annum. The switch to cleaner fuels will also mean a reduction in the output of carbon dioxide, the main global warming gas, of around 200,000 tonnes per annum. The savings are based on tail pipe emissions only and would be even higher on a life-cycle basis.
The 'Meeting the Green Fuels Challenge' reception is being held in the Jubilee Rooms in the House of Commons from 18.00 to 20.00 on Tuesday the 27/2/01. If you would like to attend or require more information on any aspect of LPG for vehicles, please contact Andrew Ford on 07803 021127 or Phil Royal on 0207 932 2410.
For further information call Calor Autogas on 0800 992200
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