LPG Cars

Currently more than 117,000 UK motorists are taking advantage of liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, including the Queen and the prime minster. LPG is an environmentally-friendly, or "green" fuel that is created as a by-product of refineries. The LPG, also known as autogas, can be seen being burned off cleanly on refining platforms, but today the LPG is being used for many purposes including fueling automobiles.

LPG Cars

Owning a hybrid car that can be fueled by LPG is considerably less expensive than a traditional petrol vehicle. The cost of the LPG is almost 40 percent less expensive than petrol and because the government supports the LPG cars, there are many available grants and a low duty on the fuel. Conversion kits for LPG can be added to any petrol vehicle although you'll be forced to give up space for the LPG tank, but you'll be out relatively little as the cost of the LPG conversions can be covered by grants.

LPG

A natural hydrocarbon, LPG is made up of propane and butane. It's a very abundant byproduct in the oil and gas industries and burning LPG produces fewer emissions such as carbon dioxide making a less significant impact on the air quality. LPG is easily converted from a gas to a liquid when compressed so it can be stored as a liquid and turned into a gas simply by adjusting pressure. LPG is 250 times denser as a liquid than a gas making it easy to store in a relatively small container.

To use LPG in an engine, the car starts from cold on petrol, making LPG cars truly hybrids. The LPG fuel kicks in once the engine is warmed up and running smoothly. LPG cars must have some petrol in the tank as well as a tank full of LPG to start and drive maximum distances, but only a minimum of petrol is truly required to start an LPG car.

When choosing to buy a LPG car or converting your own car to run on LPG fuel, be aware that currently LPG cars are not allowed through the Channel Tunnel. It can also be a challenge to find LPG fuel while on a road trip or even in your hometown. Only 10% of UK petrol stations currently dispense LPG. Overall, however, driving an LPG vehicle gives you a smooth, quiet ride without a reduction in engine efficiency for far less in fuel costs and emissions.