LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), is a natural hydrocarbon fuel made up of commercial propane and commercial butane. Most petrol driven vehicles, including both cars and light commercial vehicles, can be converted to run on LPG.

Also known as “autogas”, it is a by-product of the oil and gas industries, but is a cleaner, greener and cheaper fuel. Furthermore, Dutch scientists have published research and testing results showing that LPG vehicles score better in terms of safety than petrol vehicles.

LPG is the most widely available alternative fuel in the United Kingdom with over 1,300 vehicle refueling sites and stations in the country, while some businesses use their own so called “bunkered” refueling facilities. The number of UK’s motorists that opted for LPG conversion is currently 150,000 and growing.

LPG is also widely used in Europe as an environmentally friendly alternative transport fuel, with over 7 million vehicles on European roads running on autogas. And, as various surveys show, over twelve million vehicles worldwide are run on LPG. South Korea leads the field with over 1.7 million, followed by Italy, Poland and Turkey with over 1 million vehicles. The former Soviet republic of Armenia may, however, be the world leader in autogas use. The Armenian transport ministry estimates as much as 20 to 30% of vehicles use autogas compared with traditional gasoline.

Did you know…

Humberside Police has over 460 vehicles and has nearly finished converting the entire fleet to run on LPG. Having run LPG-converted vehicles for nearly a decade, they have saved up to £300,000 on fuel costs per year.

Several of the vehicles owned by the Queen are powered by LPG - Four royal cars - a 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, a Daimler Limousine, a Rover 400 and the Metrocab favoured by Prince Philip - have so far undergone LPG conversions.

Free resident parking is offered by Westminster City Council, London, while LPG parking discounts are offered from Councils including the London Boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Richmond and Islington.

LPG engines have set speed records of 195 miles per hour.