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24^th February 2006 (Source: LP Gas Association )

Our reliance on oil supplies from countries facing political uncertainties in a world of increasing oil demand, gives rise to real concerns over both the security of supplies for the UK and the prospect of ever increasing fuel prices.

Recent events in Russia have raised similar worries over natural gas with the UK becoming a net importer.

However, one of the alternatives in the Government’s armament to combat the problem is LPG autogas.

Notably different from natural gas in many ways, nearly half of the UK production is exported. This is enough to power over 3m additional LPG vehicles on our roads.

The Government already provides a guarantee on fuel duty for this environmentally friendly fuel which means that the price at the pumps is expected to remain at around half the price of petrol and diesel for the foreseeable future.

Tom Fidell, Director General of the LP Gas Association said “LPG has been proven to provide CO2 and air quality savings over petrol and diesel and, with over 1,300 public refueling sites in the UK, is widely available now to help reduce our reliance on petrol and diesel. The Government support means that it is a viable alternative for fleet and private motorists and with the technology well established we can see real growth in the use of this fuel".

For further information on LPG and its benefits visit www.boostlpg.com or contact the the LP Gas Association direct.

Note for editors

LPG Production

In the UK, around 60% comes from the separation of natural gas and 40% is a bi-product of the oil refinery process. Around 6.4m tonnes per year is produced with 2.936m tonnes being exported.

On average vehicles in the UK use .89 tonnes of LPG per year which means that the surplus production would fuel 3.299m vehicles.

Government long term commitment to LPG

The 2005 Budget announcement endorsed the Government’s long term commitment to support LPG.

• Continuation of the three years advance notice on fuel duty compared with petrol and diesel.
• Continuation of a maximum reduction of 1p per litre per year in the duty differential between LPG and petrol / diesel is continued into 2007/8.
• The reduction of 1p per litre in the duty differential between LPG and petrol / diesel for 2005/6 has been deferred along with proposed duty increases for other fuels.

As a result the price at the pumps will continue to be around half the price of petrol and diesel for the foreseeable future.

Filling up with LPG throughout the UK

There are currently over 1300 public access LPG filling stations providing effective coverage throughout the UK and stations continue to be opened, ensuring that the autogas user will be able to fill their vehicle anywhere in the country. This represents an £50m+ investment by the industry which further boosts confidence in LPG in both the consumer and fleet markets. Details of all these public access sites can be found on www.boostlpg.com or by contacting the LP Gas Association direct.

In addition to the public access sites, companies can easily and cheaply have their own bunkered fuel sites and join the 800 or so private facilities in the UK who benefit from the convenience and discounted price of their own fuel site.

LPG - CO2 as good as diesel but with much cleaner emissions

LPG has gained support as an environmentally friendly automotive fuel in respect of both the global warming effect (carbon dioxide - CO2) and air quality, particularly in towns and cities where vehicles cause specific pollution and noise problems.

Recent Pan European Tests on a range of 26 vehicles running on LPG, petrol and diesel have shown that on a well to wheel basis on the Climate Change gas of CO2, the vehicles running on LPG were on average 20% better than petrol and nearly 2% better than diesel.

Of greater significance for our nations health are the air quality pollutants of NOx and particulates. In respect of NOx, vehicles running on LPG were 120% to 180% better than petrol and 2000% better than diesel - In other words, one diesel vehicle emits the same NOx as over 20 LPG vehicles. On average particle emissions from diesel vehicles are 99% higher that LPG

There are increasing concerns as to the impact of diesel vehicles on our air quality, especially in urban areas, and in particular emissions of NOx and particulates which directly affect our nation’s health.

The Energy Saving Trust reports that “Road transport is responsible for almost 50% of certain smog forming pollutants” - we still suffer from smog as evidenced by the government being forced to issue a warning for central London earlier this month as pollution reached critical levels in our capital despite the reduction in traffic levels seen by congestion charging. “Of key concern are the tiny particles that can easily penetrate into the smallest part of the lungs and have been linked to cancer, and up to 24,000 people die prematurely every year as a result of poor air quality and air pollution acts as an irritant to the skin eyes and throat”.

They go on to say that “there are over 120 pollution hotspots in the UK which means that national air quality targets will not be met”.

Another benefit over diesel where LPG vehicles help our environment is with noise. Decibels can be reduced by as much as 50% - a major advantage if you are close to busy traffic or where night time deliveries are undertaken.

More than 10 million drivers worldwide use LPG and in the UK numbers are increasing as more motorists learn of the benefits. In the UK, from a small start of 3,500 at the end of 1998 some 128,000 vehicles were running on LPG on our roads by the end of last year.

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