Amidst growing concerns about vehicle emissions and air quality problems, car manufacturers are being encouraged to offer UK motorists a more comprehensive vehicle choice with the re-introduction of autogas LPG powered models.
Cars running on autogas LPG are significantly cleaner than their diesel and petrol counterparts, emitting 80% less NO2 emissions and 98% fewer particulates than diesels. These harmful pollutants are a key contributor to the current air quality crisis in the UK which is responsible for more than 29,000 premature deaths each year.
In mainland Europe, more than 17 vehicle manufacturers offer autogas LPG powered models directly from their showroom, of which some are even manufactured in the UK. However, despite the technology being fully developed and widely embraced across the rest of Europe, no vehicle manufacturers currently offer LPG variants within their UK range.
“For some time we’ve been calling upon vehicle manufacturers to offer UK motorists the same level of choice as those in mainland Europe with the re-introduction of LPG variants into their range,” comments Linda Gomersall, General Manager Autogas Limited.
“It’s clear from the latest revelations about the emissions that UK businesses and individuals want a credible, cleaner alternative immediately. LPG is a proven, cleaner solution with an established refuelling and servicing infrastructure already in place. We simply need vehicle manufacturers to make LPG ready cars available in the UK and together we can help make a significant improvement to the UK’s air quality.”
The environmental credentials of autogas LPG have been proven in a series of independent laboratory and real-world tests. The most recent study conducted by Dr Eric Johnson of Atlantic Consulting across nearly 9,000 cars and vans between 2011-13 showed that autogas LPG offered significantly greater environmental benefits than the other fuel types under consideration which included diesel, petrol and CNG.
Due to its better environmental performance, LPG attracts a lower duty meaning that not only can users improve their environmental performance, but they can also save money too. Indeed, the 150,000 motorists in the UK who currently use LPG currently benefit from average prices of just 54.7 pence per litre compared to 109.38 pence per litre for diesel.
“The LPG solution is cleaner, proven and readily available so we’d urge car makers to make them available at their earliest opportunity,” concludes Gomersall.
