The forgotten alternative fuel?

Whilst electric vehicles seem to dominate the government’s plans to cut transport pollution, another alternative fuel, LPG, has been in quiet existence for years. Calum Chamberlain from Autogas gives an update on the LPG industry and explains how it can play a significant role in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.

Air pollution or poor air quality is estimated to be responsible for killing more than 29,000 people every year in the UK and is the cause of 20 per cent of premature deaths. It’s argued that the majority of this pollution stems from the use of diesel vehicles, and the problems associated with the fuel have taken on new renewed vigour in recent weeks with the revelations that vehicle manufacturers have manipulated emissions tests.

High-profile support
With high profile support and investment in electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years, it’s no surprise that EVs continue to dominate the headlines, and are seen as a solution to the problems of climate change and air quality. However liquified petroleum gas (LPG) also has its role to play and Autogas is encouraging the government, Transport for London, local authorities, fleets and OEMs to support the growth of LPG vehicles in the UK. Linda Gomersall, general manager of Autogas Limited, explains: “In a story similar to the treatment of electric cars today, LPG was seen as the future of automotive fuelling in the early 2000s when significant government grants were available to those fleets and drivers converting their cars to run on the fuel.

“Such was the interest and demand for LPG, that several manufacturers including Vauxhall and Volvo offered LPG-ready models directly from their showrooms. Fuel suppliers such as Autogas supported this demand with the investment in an extensive refuelling network.

“Sadly, when the government pulled the plug on grants and it failed to offer a long-term commitment to the fuel duty reduction on LPG, vehicle manufacturers and many fleets decided to move on to more certain fuel sources.”

A cleaner fuel
Two key pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates (PM2.5), which contribute to air pollution, are both significantly lower in vehicles powered by LPG compared with both petrol and diesel. Indeed, NO2 emissions from LPG-fuelled vehicles are up to 80 per cent lower than diesel. Particulates are up to 98 per cent lower than diesel. Not only that, but CO2 emissions from vehicles powered by LPG are up to 15 per cent lower than petrol.

In April this year, the Supreme Court ordered the government to take swift action to improve air quality across the UK as it continued to breach EU levels. Gomersall argues that increased use of LPG could help to cut the number of deaths.

She said: “Increased use of the fuel could help the UK achieve its air pollution targets. We look forward to working with the government as it prepares its revised plans to discuss how it could help stimulate demand and encourage greater take up of LPG to improve air quality in our towns and cities across the UK.”

Government commitment to LPG
In December 2013, the Chancellor answered the LPG industry’s calls to set out a clear 10-year road map for LPG as a road fuel, maintaining the fuel duty differential between LPG and more conventional petrol and diesel, giving certainty and stability to the fuel source for the foreseeable future.

However, Autogas is still calling on the government to rectify its investment removal mistakes of the past. A recent House of Commons Transport Select Committee report criticised the way the government withdrew grants supporting the purchase of LPG vehicles too early. The report stated that as a number of fuel sources and technologies are appropriate for a low carbon future, the government cannot pick a winner, but should provide certainty for market participants designed to incentivise investment.

Gomersall said: “The Treasury’s introduction of a robust, decade-long trajectory for environmentally-friendly LPG gives the UK’s businesses and private motorists the confidence to embrace LPG in the knowledge that the government will continue to support the fuel.

“But, as LPG is identified as one of a basket of fuels that can help the UK achieve its low carbon future, we’re urging the government to review its historic mistakes as well as potential distortion of the future market, by offering similar incentives, investment and support for LPG as it currently does with electric vehicles.

“Similarly, it’s essential that the motor industry itself also offers support and backing for LPG as it’s currently doing in favour of newer Euro 6 diesel technology.”

Without any long-term government commitment to LPG, car manufacturers have been reluctant to offer LPG-powered models for sale in the UK, unlike other European territories where gas-fuelled models from 14 different manufacturers are available directly from the showroom. Indeed, Vauxhall admitted that their LPG-ready models had ‘sold fairly well – until the government pulled the plug on the fuel incentive’.

Now that the long term-commitment is back, is it time car maker’s reintroduced LPG models to UK buyers?

Ultra Low Emission Zone
Autogas is also working with Transport for London (TfL) to consider LPG options in new licensing proposals for taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) with regards to the Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London.

In order to tackle air pollution and emissions problems in central London, TfL is recommending a revised voluntary decommissioning scheme for taxis over 10 years old and the requirement that all taxis and new PHVs, new to licensing from January 2018, be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC).

Autogas believes that TfL’s proposal to increase the charging infrastructure of electric vehicle charge points in order to support the uptake of ZEC-ready electric vehicles by the commercial sector (including taxis and PHVs), neglects already-established alternative fuels which could otherwise assist in achieving air quality goals. Whilst the zero‑emission vehicles market will continue to grow, taxis converted to run on LPG could help improve air quality in the short term as well as provide an extra choice to meet consumer’ driving needs and preferences.

Gomersall commented: “It’s not just London that could benefit from more LPG‑powered taxis and PHVs. Councils across the country that are dealing with polluted city centres need to look at a range of fuel options and LPG could provide an ideal solution.”

Refuelling infrastructure
Around 150,000 drivers use LPG in the UK, but this number lags behind those in Europe. However, the availability of refuelling points per LPG car in the UK is the highest in Europe.

The LPG infrastructure is very well developed with more than 1,400 LPG refuelling stations around the UK. As such, according to Autogas, most drivers are, on average, never more than five miles from a station.

Gomersall said: “Other clean fuel technologies that are not yet as mature simply have higher upfront costs and cannot meet the needs of some drivers due to driving range and access to infrastructure.”

A new conversion network
Launched at the start of 2015 to provide easier access to quality LPG vehicle conversions, the first phase of appointments to Autogas’ new nationwide network of garages is now complete.

Sharing Autogas’ vision of providing cheaper and cleaner motoring for drivers, five expert garages have been hand-picked to launch the network. Located in key strategic locations around the UK, including Edinburgh, the north-east, Birmingham, the north-west and Gloucester, the workshops were selected after rigorous assessments to ensure they are technically competent and deliver service to the very highest standards.

Thrilled with the progress, Gomersall said: “The new Autogas conversion network is ideally placed to assist drivers and fleets in making the switch to a cleaner alternative. This pioneering scheme is part of our long-term vision to place LPG as a leading solution to the growing problem of air pollution.

“In making LPG conversions more readily available and ensuring converters deliver the best service for fleet operators and private individuals, we expect that many more drivers will be making the switch to the cleaner fuel which also helps to significantly lower their fuel bills too.”

Time for growth?
Gomersall makes one final point on the importance of LPG to the future of UK’s fuel policy. She says: “Significant demand and interest in LPG still exists as demonstrated by our own and independent surveys and research. The cleaner, greener technology is proven. A conversion network for aftermarket modifications is in place along with an established fuel supply infrastructure.

“For the first time ever, we now even have a long-term, 10-year commitment from the government about the fuel duty differential with petrol and diesel. It’s actually the strongest position that our industry has been in for a very long time.

“However, there are perhaps two key challenges that remain that need to overcome and focus on to transform the fortunes and take up of LPG. Firstly, we need to work with government so that it gives LPG similar levels of treatment and support as other ‘alternative fuels’. We need to ensure that there are no favourites.

“Secondly, by working with an OEM to offer LPG ready models in the UK, as they already do in Europe, this will give the market an enormous boost and validate the latent demand.”

Further Information
www.autogaslimited.co.uk