About LPG

  1. What is LPG ?
    LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Otherwise known as auto gas. It is made up of propane and butane. It is a by-product of oil and refining operations, particularly when using North Sea 'wet' crude. Consequently, the UK has an abundant supply. The UK currently exports LPG and imports petrol.

  2. How will owning an LPG vehicle save me money?
    LPG (1.72 per gallon) is HALF the proce of diesel or petrol (£4 per gallon). This is because the tax is far lower in recognition of its environmental benefits. The savings on LPG are substantial with figures as high as 65% against petrol and 55% against diesel. Some examples are :
    • Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 LS doing 25000 miles per annum:
      Running costs on petrol are approximately £2772.00. On LPG it would be approximately £1090.00. Saving £1628.00
    • Ford Mondeo 1.8 TD doing 25,000 miles per annum:
      Running costs on diesel are approximately £2128.00. The equivalent petrol vehicle running on LPG would be approximatley £1036.00, saving £1092.00
    There are also benefits such as small reduction in VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) and reduced engine wear, and therefore maintenance:
    • Extended oil change intervals (typically 20,000 miles)
    • Increased spark plug life (typically 75,000 miles)
    • Extended engine life (200,000 miles)
    • Reduced soot formation, with associated decreases in abrasiveness and chemical degradation of lubrication oil
    • Reduced wear during cold starting. Petrol engines need fuel enrichment for cold starting. The excess fuel accumulates on the cyliner walls, 'washing' away oil and accelerating wear. LPG poered engines are considered easier to start, especially in cold weather and unlike petrol-fuelled vehicles there is no sluggishness or reduction in power when cold.
  3. Why is LPG better for the environment?
    For two reasons:
    • The simple chemical nature of the fuel ensures that it burns cleaner producing less polution. LPG has the potential to make a huge difference to local air quality, particularly in urban areas.
      LPG emissions compared to petrol
    • 75% less carbon monoxide
    • 85% less hydrocarbons
    • 40% less nitrous oxides
    • 85% less ozone
    LPG emissions compared to diesel
    • 90% less carbon monoxide
    • 90% less hydrocarbons
    • 90% less nitrous oxides
    • 90% less particulates
    Please note that these figures are based on tests performed at Millbrook and may vary from vehicle to vehicle. This is a guide only.
    • It is produced as a by-product of oil extraction and refining operations. The UK produces a surplus of millions of tonnes each year, LPG is by far the most valuable use of it.
  4. How will it affect my vehicle's performance ?
    Modern LPG conversions suffer no noticeable loss of performance. Engines will run smoother and be slightly quieter. The high octane of LPG allows higher compression ratio, which can deliver increased engine-power output and better thermal efficiency, thus reducing fuel consumption and emissions. With the latest generation of LPG fuel systems, acceleration and top speed are comparable to petrol or diesel.
  5. Is LPG safe?
    Very safe. The gas tabks have to be at least 25 times stronger than a petrol or diesel tank and are not easily damaged. Crash and fire tests have proved that the strengh and integrity of tanks fitted to LPGA safety guidelines make the LPG fuel system safer than petrol. There is also a pressure sensor in the tank which seals off the tank if there is a drop in pressure between it and the engine. So if the fuel line is ruptured, the tank will seal itself off to prevent a large leak of gas (automatic gas supply shut-off in a major accident). It is impossible to get the LPG and petrol tanks mixed up as there are different nozzles for LPG/petrol, the fuel caps are different sizes, and LPG wont come out unless the nozzle is firmly locked.
  6. Will it damage my engine ?
    On the contrary. The LPG conversion will reduce engine wear. LPG burns cleaner than petrol. This means less emissions out of the exhaust and less carbon deposits in the engine (see Qu.3). These deposits are very abrasive and can contribute to engine breakdowns. The oil and spark plugs will also last loner (See Qu. 2).
  7. What about servicing
    The LPG system should be inspected annually by a specialist LPG technician. This normally takes about half an hour and is consequently not expensive.
  8. What happens if I run out of LPG?
    If you run out of LPG, some systems will automatically switch back over to petrol which is quite normal, hardly noticeable and causes no damage to your engine. With other systems it will be necessary to manually push a button. This button can also be used to change over to petrol at any time should you wish (unlikely when you see how much LPG will save you)
  9. Where can I refuel?
    The industry has invested over £100 million in the infrastructure and there are currently 1474 LPG refuelling stationsin the UK. LPG dispensers look and operate much like a normal petrol/diesel pump. You simply attach a bayonet-type connection to the tank nozzle and it locks on, and then push a button to start the flow of gas from the dispenser to the vehicle. It's very easy to use, quick, clean and safe.
  10. Can I still drive petrol?
    The LPG tank is additional to the original petrol tank, therefore the car is able to drive (as before) on petrol and will normally cold start on petrol and then quickly switch over to LPG when the engine is warm. It is therefore important to have a little bit of petrol, but after seeing how much you save with LPG, you won't want to buy any more petrol than necessary!
  11. What happens if I get a puncture ?
    The LPG tank is ususally in the spare wheel well of the car so as not to reduce boot space. If you are unlucky enough to get a puncture, approved tyre foam will do the job. This re-inflates the tyre and seals the puncture until you get it properly repaired. However, most of our vehicles come with a spare wheel/space saver wheel in the boot. This takes up minimal space (and much less than an LPG tank would) so the boot is not noticeably reduced.
  12. Will LPG take off?
    Recently Brian Wilson, the Energy Minister, unveilled the 100,000th LPG car in the UK, which represents an investment of over £150 million. The oil industries have invested over £100 million in the fuelling infrastructure. Globally there are now more than eight million vehicles powered by LPG.
  13. What is going to happen to LPG prices?
    The Government has committed itself to reducing pollution. The environmental credentials of LPG are proven. Therefore it is extremely unlikely that the duty differential between LPG and petrol and diesel will be reduced.
  14. Will I be exempt from Congestion Charging?
    All of our vehicles, where stated, are currently exempt otherwise we wouldn't say it. The following vehicles are also exempt:
    • Ford Focus and Mondeo
    • Vauxhall Astra, Corsa, Vectra and Zafira
    • Volvo S60, S80, V70
  15. Does anyone famous use LPG?
    The Queen has two Rolls-Royces, a Daimler and a Rover running on LPG, a refuelling facility in the Royal Mews. The Duke of Edinburgh's Metrocab runs on LPG. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the President of the USA all use LPG cars.
  16. How does the dualfuel system operate?
    For LPG operation the driver sets the LPG/petrol switch to LPG.This can be done at any time,even on the move.Fuel from the gas tank then flows via the vapourizer/pressure regulator to the distributor unit and on to the injectors in the inlet manifold.
    A computer- operated valve automatically controls the supply of gas according to demand and regulates the air/fuel mixture for optimum emissions and driveability.
    The vehicle fuel guage displays the appropriate level for whichever type of fuel is selected and the vehicle will automatically switch to petrol operation if the gas runs out,but not vice-versa.
  17. How far can you travel on a tank full of gas?
    The LPG Vectra's 57 litre tank holds 46 litres of fuel (LPG tanks are only filled to 80% capacity),giving it an average range of 250 miles,depending on payload and driving style.The LPG Astra can typically be expected to travel around 290 miles on its 46 litres of LPG.For vans,Combo will typically travel 335 miles and Astra van 350 miles respectively on their 56 litres of LPG.

    18. Budget 2009 - Greater support for Autogas - 23rd April 2009 - Latest News:
    The Chancellor has extended the time horizon for support for LPG/Autogas on duty from 3 years to 5. It is hoped that this extra period of certainty will bolster the LPG conversion industry in the same way that it has in Germany. Germany is now converting cars at the rate of over 100,000 per year and is on course for their target of 1 million LPG vehicles by 2015.

    This announcement essentially reassures prospective buyers of LPG cars or conversions that the fuel will remain half the price of petrol or diesel until at least March 2014 and significantly strengthens the argument for switching to this environmentally friendly clean burning fuel. From September 2009 duty on petrol and diesel will be 56.19p per litre whilst duty on LPG will be 13.84p per litre.

    The Chancellor also announced a reinstatement of the fuel escalator which means that road fuels will start to go up in duty by more than inflation. Converting a petrol vehicle to LPG provides motorists with a way to immediately reduce their motoring carbon footprint by 20%, and save money on their fuel costs.

    Additionally the VED reduction for LPG cars registered after March 2001 was increased by up to 100% depending on the CO2 band. Vehicles converted to LPG (as evidenced by the production of an LPGA Approved Installer "LPG Conversion Certificate") are eligible for the following reduction in VED:

    • Vehicles registered on or after 1st March 2001
    • £20 per year for vehicles in bands B to E (increased from £10)
    • £15 per year for vehicles in band F (increased from £10)
    • Vehicles registered on or after 23rd March 2006 for which band G applies
    • £15 per year (increased from £10)

    This is a clear message of support for LPG for the long term which gives motorists and fleet managers the confidence to purchase LPG vehicles and contribute to a cleaner motoring environment

    London Congestion Charge Zone Spreads Westwards (19 Feb, 2007)

    London Congestion Zone

    Mr Livingstone immediately hailed the western extension - which includes Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea - a success. Green groups also backed the scheme which sees an almost doubling in size of the charging zone which was first introduced in February 2003.

    Mr Livingstone reported traffic flowing freely in the extended zone, in which drivers entering from outside the total zone area will pay £8 a day on weekdays between 7am and the new finishing time of 6pm - half an hour earlier than usual.

    "Congestion charging in London has already cut the number of cars in the central area by 70,000 a day with all of the associated benefits in terms of air quality, climate change and road safety, with dramatic increases in number of bus passengers and people choosing to cycle or walk."
    "This has contributed to London seeing the world's first significant shift from the private car to public transport and, as a result, cities all over the world are looking to London's example."

    15/10/2009 - Increase in Congestion Charge

    The London Congestion Charge is rising to £10 per day. The increased charge will be operational by the end of next year Dec 2010. Some (not all) of our LPG cars & vans that appear on TFL's "powershift register", are 100% congestion charge exempt which means you can save over £2500 a year, while also saving you upto 50% on your petrol bills... please ask for our advise before buying an LPG vehicle

    UKLPG welcomes the decision by London Mayor, Boris Johnson, to continue the Alternative Fuel Discount in London following the cancellation of the proposed CO2 Emissions Related Congestion Charging.

    Mike Chapman, Autogas Manager, said

    "This is great news, both for London and LPG autogas. This decision ensures that LPG receives continued recognition for the contribution made to improving the air quality in London”,
    and went on to say,
    “It takes over 120 LPG cars to equal the fine particles produced by one equivalent diesel car".

    Motorists running on LPG can be re-assured that not only are they helping Londons air quality but are also reducing their carbon footprint compared with both petrol and diesel.

    LPG autogas is by far the most widely available alternative fuel in the UK and with the long term government support on fuel duty the savings have never been greater.

    Richmond announces discounts for LPG vehicles

    To reflect their lower emissions, vehicles converted to run on LPG will be classified in one band lower than the "standard" non converted classification. This will mean savings of up to £150 per year for vehicles converted to run on LPG.

    Cabinet of Richmond upon Thames council in south west London has voted to implement groundbreaking parking charges that will see residents in controlled parking zones (CPZs) pay for their permits based on the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of Richmond Council said:

    "I am absolutely delighted that our cabinet has passed this important resolution. We will now charge less for permits for the cars with the lowest emissions of CO2 and more for the vehicles with the highest emissions."

    Latest News 29th January 2009

    LPG availability creeps up - Autogas has announced that 16 new LPG stations will be opened throughout the UK in 2009. A Shell garage in Rochdale is the latest to offer liquid petroleum gas as a fuel on its forecourt, and takes the total amount of LPG outlets in the country firmly past 1400.

    The locations of the next 15 outlets have yet to be finalised, but a spokesman for Autogas has said they will be spread across the country. He also said they are likely to be Shell garages, but other brands might be involved in the deals as well.

    The UKLPG, the trade association for the LPG industry, claims there are currently 160,000 vehicles on the road powered by the liquid gas