Apart from the benefits to the environment we live in and in turn our quality of lives there are also significant financial gains to be made for using fuel types other that Diesel or petrol.
Extensive independent tests demonstrated that running on LPG autogas resulted in a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when compared to the equivalent petrol vehicle and it is anticipated to have a 10% advantage over the equivalent diesel by 2010. But, depending upon which carbon calculator you use LPG vehicles can be anything between 8% and 25% less polluting than diesel vehicles or 10% to 40% less polluting than petrol. Confused…?
On www.carbonneutral.com the calculator indicates that a diesel van travelling 15,000 miles per annum emits 4.5 tonnes of Co2. An LPG will emit 3.6 tonnes of Co2. 20% less. Okay, let’s use that as a benchmark.
So, 0.9 tonnes of Co2 but what about NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) – the fine particles that cause asthma and respiratory issues?
Department of Health statistics show that particulates are responsible for thousands of advanced deaths and thousands of instances of illness; also NOx emissions are a major element of low-level ozone, which causes smog and can worsen existing asthma conditions.
Diesel vehicles emit 20 times more NOx than LPG according to www.drivelpg.org. Pro-diesel sites suggest that this is an exaggeration.
FINANCIAL BENEFITS
The energy in a litre of Autogas is less than in a litre of Petrol or Diesel. Actual savings will depend on the car and its condition, the journey and individual driver’s style of driving. However, comparing the three types of fuel in a similar vehicle over 1000 miles is startling:
| Fuel Type | MPG | Fuel Price | Cost per 1000 Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPG | 30 | 61.9 per litre | £93.91 |
| Diesel | 50 | 126.9p per litre | £113.60 |
| Petrol | 38 | 119.9p per litre | £142.28 |
Congestion Charge: based on 4 trips per week over 50 weeks the annual CC charge for one vehicle would be:
4 trips x 50 weeks = 200 x £7.50 = £1,500 pa saving
To summarise, the headlines are:
1. LPG vehicles emit around 20% less Co2 pa than diesel or 0.9 tonnes.
2. Diesel vehicles emit 20 times more NOx than LPG vehicles.
3. We save around £1,500 pa on Congestion Charging per vehicle.
4. Cost per 1000 miles is around 17% cheaper using LPG.
To find out more about LPG visit www.drivelpg.co.uk
