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LPG Fuel

UK LPG and CNG Cars

Introduction

One of the most popular choices open to drivers looking for reduced car tax and congestion charge costs are alternative fuels such as LPG and CNG. These are most commonly used in dual-fuel ( or bi-fuel ) mode alongside conventional petrol through use of an additional fuel tank often located in the boot of the vehicle.

What is it?

LPG or Liquid Petroleum Gas is a mixture of propane and butane and produces a very clean burn with reduced CO2 output compared to petrol cars and a substantial reduction in fine particle and noxious output compared to diesels. LPG can be stored as a liquid at atmospheric pressure through mild compression meaning that a large volume can be stored in a small tank.

CNG or Compressed Natural Gas is much less common in the UK than LPG even though it provides greater reductions in emissions. There are two major reasons for this situation. Firstly, CNG needs to be stored at a very high pressure ( around 200 bar ) and secondly it doesn't achieve the density that LPG manages in liquid form. This high pressure requirement means that a very robust tank is needed and its lower density results in the tank being two to three times bigger than that of the equivalent LPG.

Current Production Models

Vauxhall leads the way with LPG and it is available with a large range of factory fitted Bi-Fuel engines. The current line-up is the Corsa 16v manual 1.2L, Astra manual 1.4L and 1.8L, Vectra manual saloon/hatch 1.8L, Corsavan 16v manual 1.2L and Combo manual 1.4L. Nissan produces the Primera 1.8L and the Almera Tino 1.8L whilst Proton have the Jumback 1.5L and Fiat the Ducato 2.0L.

Volvo, another champion of LPG in the UK, have just announced that they will switch production in 2006 to Bi-Fuel CNG. This will be available in the Volvo S60 and V70 ranges with LPG being discontinued.

Conversions

Most current UK production petrol cars can be converted to LPG. The cost of this is around £1700. Diesel conversions are more expensive as more complex alterations are required to the engine.