Commercial Fleets

Only 0.01% of the vans on our roads are zero emission capable (ZEC), and the vast majority of the remaining vans are diesel. There is therefore huge potential for LPG to play a major role in quickly reducing the emissions emitted by this sector.

Qualifying light commercial vehicles include pickup trucks, vans and three-wheelers, as well as all commercially based goods or passenger carriers. The LCV concept was created as a compact truck and is usually optimised to be ruggedly built, have low operating costs and powerful yet fuel efficient engines, and to be utilised in intra-city operations.               

Petrol engines can easily be converted to run on LPG via a simple conversion costing approximately £1,500. There are a large number of approved converters across the country, a list of which can be found at http://www.uklpg.org/. The process is the same by which ordinary passenger cars can be converted

Why use LPG?

Are you looking to run your commercial fleet more cost effectively? Are you searching for ways to save money as well as helping to save the environment?

Well did you know that fleet managers can save thousands of pounds at the pumps every year simply by switching their vehicles to run on LPG fuel? LPG gas is far cheaper than conventional petrol or diesel, so using LPG will provide a good return on your investment.

The average price per litre is around half that of petrol or diesel. This means that you could save yourself around 40 per cent in fuel costs every year.

And the cost of converting your fleet is cheaper than you might think. The average conversion is just £1,500. Autogas’ vehicle conversion network was established in 2015 as part of a £1 million investment programme which has included a rebranding of its UK refuelling infrastructure.

And in addition to Autogas’ own refuelling network, there is now more than 1,400 LPG refuelling sites across the UK and currently around 135,000 LPG converted vehicles in the UK.

Environmental Benefits of LPG

LPG is one of the cleanest fuels available as it produces 80 per cent less NOx emissions compared with a normal diesel powered version, as well as significant reductions in sooty particulate matter – both of which are harmful to human health.

The production of LPG itself has a low environmental impact as it’s a natural by-product of natural gas extraction and crude oil refining.

There is an ongoing problem with vans contributing considerably to the UK’s poor air quality and this year’s rise in registrations means the situation will only get worse. There are now more than four million vans on our roads.

“A lot of van owners and fleet managers are unaware of the benefits associated with converting their vehicles to run on LPG fuel. Not only will it significantly improve emission levels, but it also has the potential for huge cost savings.”

Jane Lindsay-Green, General Manager of Autogas Limited

According to Anglesey Council’s Fleet Manager Noel Roberts, the Council has experienced “phenomenal savings” since converting 63 of its 172 road vehicles to run on LPG – so much so that it was made council policy to buy vehicles converted to run on LPG. The fleet is served by a refuelling tank that was installed at the Council’s premises with the costs borne by the industry.