Ten Quick Facts About Lpg Conversions

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 for insurance:

Many motorists believe that vehicles with LPG conversions will 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 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:

According to the LPG Association (LPGA), the gas is substantially safer to use than petrol or diesel. This is mainly due to the fact that the fuel is stored in a robust fuel tank, which is tested to rigorous standards. Also, in the case of an accident, LPG tanks close down the gas supply automatically.

It has never been easier to fill up:

There are now well over 1,300 LPG stations in the UK. LPG pumps are pretty much the same as old-fashioned petrol 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 with an LPG vehicle is a dream; you can achieve almost double the mileage for the same cost as a petrol vehicle can. LPG is readily available in Europe, however it is more commonly known as Autogas or GPL.

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

Reduced maintenance levels:

Owners of cars with LPG conversions experience an overall reduction in engine wear and LPG is clean burning and contains no carbon or lead deposits. It also reduces maintenance costs on valves, spark plugs, pistons and rings .

Government grants:

Whilst the Government continues to reduce duty on eco friendly alternative fuels and offer Congestion Charge exemption they are also offering grants to car owners, fleets and businesses which consider LPG conversions or other environmentally friendly alternative fuels.

You can buy or convert:

If you have a relatively new petrol car or light commercial vehicle, or even a black cab that needs a new engine, then you should choose a LPG conversions. If you have a diesel car or van, or an older petrol car or light commercial vehicle that is on its last legs then the answer is not to convert to LPG but to buy a new LPG vehicle.

No loss of performance:

Many car owners believe that cars with LPG conversions have a lower 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:

Automotive fuels are constantly taking the blame and criticism from environmentalists as the main cause of poor air quality 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 emissions, 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.

According to research carried out by the Norfolk County Council, LPG cars produce significantly less emissions. 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.