The number of vehicles being converted to run on LPG grew in 2008 by 36% compared to the previous year bringing the total of LPG vehicles on Britain’s roads to over 155,000.
Following the government’s commitment on fuel duty for the next five years and with petrol prices still expected to climb, UKLPG, the trade body for the industry and custodian of the LPGA Approved Installer Scheme, believes that LPG autogas has increased its appeal to fleet managers.
According to research carried out by the Corporate Vehicle Observatory (CVO), 60% of businesses intend to include green vehicles within their fleets over the next three years.
Autogas Manager, Mike Chapman, said
“With the growing need for businesses to keep costs and emissions down, LPG autogas is now a very attractive option to fleets.”
“LPG costs around half the price of petrol at the forecourt, and although you do get less miles to the gallon on LPG compared to petrol, it works out at a saving of around 40% on fuel costs.”
LPG autogas is one of the cleanest fuels on the market. Independent tests have shown that running on LPG autogas produces 20% less CO2 than petrol, and when compared with diesel, 2% less CO2, 20 times less Nox and 120 times less harmful particulates. It is available at over 1400 refuelling stations in the UK making it by far the most readily available alternative fuel.
Glenn Ewen, Fleet Manager at Clear Channel Outdoor UK added:
“I believe that LPG has a strong future, especially as petrol fuel prices continue to fluctuate widely. LPG remains more consistent and helps reduce our fuel costs. However, the biggest benefit remains that it is so much cleaner which is core to our company’s strong sustainability commitments.”
Clear Channel Outdoor UK is one of the UK’s top 50 Green Companies, according to the Suntay Times Green List, and operates a fleet of 530 vehicles, of which 370 are light commercial vehicles and the remainder are cars. It has now been using LPG autogas since 1997 and in that time has dramatically reduced its fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
Prior to the fleet moving to LPG autogas, Clear Channel’s fleet was travelling 14 million miles per annum, producing an estimated 4,990 tonnes of CO2 yearly and emitting large quantities of nitrous oxide and particulates.
By 2008 the total vehicle mileage had been reduced by 4.75 million miles per annum, CO2 was reduced by 1,760 tonnes per year and were saving £200,000 per annum on fuel costs and London Congestion Charges.
Source: UKLPG |
