Ten Facts On LPG Conversions

Savings on fuel
LPG offers huge financial savings when compared with petrol, there is no denying this fact. However, LPG as fuel is not as efficient as petrol in terms of miles per gallon, so the best way to calculate savings is to estimate the cost of driving 1000 miles on petrol compared with 1000 miles on LGP fuel.

Fuel saving for drivers of commercial vehicles can be astronomical . A commercial vehicle with an annual mileage of 50,000 miles can expect annual fuel costs of £6,500 (petrol) or £5,356 (diesel). The average cost to cover the same number of miles with LPG is just £3,744.

Costs no more to insure
Many motorists believe that an LPG converted vehicle will be more expensive to insure. However, a survey carried out by the LPG Association (LPGA), essentially showed that this isn’t the case. The top 20 insurance companies all said they insure a LPG converted car so long as the LPG conversion had been carried out by an LPG approved installer. Only two insurers advised they would charge an extra premium.

LPG is substantially safer than petrol or diesel
LPG gas is substantially safer to use than diesel or petrol according to the LPG Association (LPGA). This is mainly due to the fact that the fuel is stored in a robust fuel tank, which is tested to rigorous standards. LPG tanks also shut down the gas supply if you have an accident.

Filling up has never been easier
There are now well over 1,300 LPG stations in the UK. Traditional petrol pumps work much in the same way as LPG pumps and all LPG stations are fairly similar in the way they do things. Most LPG pumps have clear diagrams to help on your first visit and it's impossible to put diesel or petrol in your LPG tank by mistake.

LPG is popular worldwide
Travelling in an LPG vehicle can almost halve the cost of travelling in a petrol-powered car. LPG is readily available in Europe, however it is more commonly known as Autogas or GPL. When you are in the station forecourt in Europe the pump will normally be marked Autogas and is located separately from the petrol and diesel pumps.

LPG is also extremely popular in Australia, The Netherlands, Italy, Serbia, Poland, Hong Kong and Korea. The former Soviet republic of Armenia may, however, be the world leader in autogas use.

Reduced maintenance levels
Owners of LPG cars experience an overall reduction in engine wear and LPG is clean burning and contains no lead or carbon deposits. Maintenance costs on spark plugs, pistons, rings and valves are also reduced.

Government grants available
The Government are offering grants to car owners, fleets and businesses who consider conversion to LPG or other environmentally friendly alternative fuels.

The London Congestion Charge
Owners of LPG powered vehicles may qualify for a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge . Your car has to be an approved vehicle type in band 4 of the Transport Energy Powershift Register. Your vehicle must also be supplied or converted by an LPGA Approved supplier. Finally, your vehicle must meet the emission standards set by the Transport Energy CleanUp Register.

No loss of performance
Many car owners believe that converting to LPG will lower the cars performance – this is a common misconception. The truth is that if there is any change in performance from LPG it will be negligible and most drivers would be unlikely to detect the difference.

Environment
Traditional fuels such as petrol and diesel are constantly taking the blame from the Government as the primary cause of low quality air conditions in the UK. Automotive vehicles emit a mixture of harmful gases including Sulphur Dioxide Hydrocarbons, Micro particulates and Nitric Oxides to name but a few.

Poor air quality, due to high levels of toxic gases, imposes social costs that are mainly associated with health care costs. Health problems resulting from these emissions include Congestive heart failure, Respiratory problems and Bronchitis, which all relate to poor air quality.

LPG cars produce substantially less emissions according to research carried out by the Norfolk County Council. Individuals and organisations that adopt the environmentally-friendly alternative automotive fuels and technologies are not only generating cost savings for themselves but also for the larger society.

Simon OShea recommends you visit http://www.fuelture.com for more information about LPG Conversions in the UK. Fuelture Ltd. works closely with performance engine specialists Nicholson McLaren Engines Ltd. to deliver LPG Conversions in the UK.