LPG autogas offers a proven solution to ever-increasing petrol prices
Source: UKLPG
UKLPG, the trade association of the LPG industry in the UK, will be demonstrating that LPG autogas is a greener, cleaner – and dramatically cheaper – alternative to petrol at the British International Motor Show (BIMS 08) in London.
UKLPG is also inviting journalists to book a test drive in one of a range of cars converted to run on cleaner-burning and readily available autogas, which reduces fuel bills by an average 40 per cent a year.
One of the converted cars, a Renaultsport Megane 225 F1, will be on display throughout BIMS 08, which takes place at ExCeL London from Tuesday 22 July (Press Day) until Sunday 3 August. The UKLPG stand will also feature a mock-up of a filling station pole sign, highlighting the fact that autogas is currently around half the price of petrol and diesel, along with an autogas dispenser pump, showing how it is every bit as simple to fill up with autogas as it is with petrol – and impossible to put the wrong fuel in the wrong tank.
Almost any petrol-engine car can be converted to run on autogas which, as well as being much cheaper than petrol, produces fewer greenhouse gases and toxic emissions, and reduces engine wear.
The cost of conversion for an average car is from around £1600, so the payback period can be as short as 12 months, depending on annual mileage and the size of the vehicle. Autogas is now widely available throughout the country – there are some 1400 outlets, including many petrol stations, and the network continues to grow as the price of petrol and diesel soars.
Even if a car is running low on LPG autogas and there is not an outlet in the immediate vicinity, it’s not a problem – you simply fill up with a few litres of petrol because a converted car is able to run equally well on both fuels, and you can change from one fuel to the other without even slowing down.
Rob Shuttleworth, Chief Executive of UKLPG, commented: “This is UKLPG’s first appearance at the British International Motor Show, which provides us with an excellent showcase to demonstrate to motorists that LPG autogas is a proven, exceptionally safe and extremely attractive alternative to petrol.
“There are already more than 12 million autogas-fuelled vehicles in operation around the world, including over 150,000 in the UK. And with the relentless rise in the price of petrol and diesel, we believe the case for converting to a fuel that’s about half the price and has less environmental impact is becoming more and more compelling.”
The UKLPG Approved Installer Scheme, established in consultation with the Department for Transport, currently incorporates nearly 200 conversion companies around the country. Choosing an Approved Installer ensures that the conversion to autogas is carried out in full compliance with all safety, regulatory and warranty requirements.
For further information or to arrange a test drive in an autogas car, contact:
Lisa Thomson, Communications Manager, UKLPG (lisa.thomson@uklpg.org)
Telephone: 02476 711702 Mobile: 07912 194930
Rob Shuttleworth, Chief Executive, UKLPG (rob.shuttleworth@uklpg.org)
Telephone: 02476 711702 Mobile: 07767 343924
Website: www.drivelpg.co.uk
Notes to journalists
1. If you would like to test drive an autogas-fuelled car (before, during or after BIMS 08), please let us know and we will be delighted to arrange a drive at a time and location that is convenient for you. We will also be pleased to arrange a one-to-one interview with our Chief Executive Rob Shuttleworth or our Autogas Manager Mike Chapman if you wish.
2. The range of autogas-powered cars that are available around the country for journalists to test includes: Smart Cabrio and Coupe, Cadillac SRX, Suzuki Swift 1.5 automatic, Saab 9-3 Linear 4-door saloon, Vauxhall Astra SXi estate and hatch, Renault Laguna Expression Sport Tourer, plus the Renaultsport Megane 225 being displayed on the UKLPG stand.
3. The autogas-powered Renaultsport Megane was featured recently in Evo magazine. In an “eco” group test involving five other cars - a Mini Cooper D, Fiat Panda, Brabus Smart and two BMWs - the high-performance Megane emerged with the lowest fuel cost per mile.
4. Almost all petrol-engine cars can be converted to run on autogas. Systems are also currently being developed for diesel-engine vehicles, but these systems have not been fully proven.
5. LPG autogas currently retails at around 60 per litre in the UK compared to about 119.6p for a litre of petrol. (Source: www.petrolprices.com 17/07/08.)
6. The UKLPG stand at BIMS is number N101, located within the Motoring Plus area
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