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The Benefits of LPG
Autogas is gaining increased support as an
environmentally friendly automotive fuel, particularly in towns and cities where vehicles cause specific pollution
problems.
Considerable improvements in emissions from autogas powered vehicles have taken place in recent years when using the latest
technology equipment. Recent tests have shown the following advantages for
autogas.
Autogas Emissions
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Compared to ULS Petrol |
Compared to ULS Diesel |
- 11%
to 13% less carbon dioxide
- 15%
to 80% less oxides of nitrogen
- 20%
to 40% less hydrocarbons
- 30%
to 35% less carbon monoxide
|
- 80%
to 95% less particulates
- 99%
to 99.8% less ultra fine particles
- 90%
to 99% less oxides of nitrogen
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Above based on recent tests undertaken at
Millbrook
Department of Health statistics suggest that particulates are
responsible for several thousand advanced deaths each year and many
thousands of instances of illness and reduced activity. Road transport is
the largest single source for particulates and autogas can reduce
these emissions by around 90%, compared to diesel.
In recent years the Government has become more aware of the harmful
effect of ultra fine particles, and this has been identified as
causing a significant problem in major cities such as London. Recent tests
have shown that autogas emits 99% to 99.8% less ultra fine particles
than ULS diesel.
The other pollutant highlighted by the Government as causing
significant problems and requiring further measures to meet the set
targets is Oxides of Nitrogen. As shown above, substantial
reductions in Oxides of Nitrogen emissions can be made by using
autogas.
Noise Pollution
Noise is another pollution causing increasing concern as stated in the
Government's "New Deal for Transport" White Paper. Autogas engines are 50%
quieter than diesel engines.
Although the UK has one of the highest concentrations of vehicles per mile of
road in the world, it is amongst the lowest in using autogas-powered vehicles.
Other countries have recognised its environmental advantages and encouraged its
development with over 5 million vehicles now in operation
worldwide. In the UK we currently have around 50,000 vehicles running on autogas but with
suitable fiscal incentives from the Government it is forecast that this number
will increase to around 250,000 by the end of 2004.
In Japan which has specific conjestion and pollution problems, virtually all
the taxis run on autogas and the country is one of the highest users of
automotive autogas in the world. Italy has the highest number of vehicles running
on the fuel with around 1,200,000 followed by South Korea with 790,000 and
Australia with 530,000.
Advantages over other
fuels.
The combustion of Autogas is smoother as a result of the higher
octane content. Unlike other fuels, no additives are required to guarantee high
quality.
- Autogas contains no lead and is therefore cleaner.
- It is actually better than petrol because it reaches the engine in pure
gas form with improved combustion resulting.
- With modern technology, there is hardly any discharge of carbon monoxide,
and compared to petrol and diesel, the exhaust fumes contain less harmful
substances.
- The life of the engine is extended as a result of the absence of acids and
carbon deposits.
- The engine oil does not become diluted with a consequential reduction in
servicing costs.
- Unlike diesel, you do not have to adjust your driving style. Cold starting
is no problem, engine performance is almost exactly the same as with petrol.
There is no spilling when filling your tank and no possibility of theft or
pilfering. Engine noise is low and you'll be driving in a more
environment-friendly way.
- The environmental advantages of Autogas for automotive use are
indisputable
Safety
The automotive use of autogas has an excellent safety record and various crash
tests and fire tests have proved that, owing to the strength and integrity of
the fuel tank, it is safer than petrol and on a par with diesel. In Vienna, they have been using
autogas powered buses for over 30
years and these have proved so successful that they now have their entire fleet
of over 400 buses running on autogas. In all those 30 years of operation they
have never had a single incident which has been caused by the use of autogas.
Fiscal Incentives
encouraging development
Each year over the last 8 years duty on LP gas has either been frozen or
reduced owing to its environmental advantages. In the March 2001 budget the duty
on autogas was reduced by 3p per litre and duty was frozen in real terms until
2004. With the increases on petrol and diesel this has resulted in a forecourt
price for autogas of around half that for petrol and diesel. However, the
distance travelled per litre is approximately 20% to 25% less for autogas than
for petrol, owing to its lower volumetric energy density.
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