LPG fuel

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Orangehorse

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Why isn't this more popular?

I have a friend who has run LPG cars for years and years, including a Rolls, with no trouble whatsoever, but when I keep suggesting it to my husband, for when my trusty ancient Shogun gives up, he just laughs and won't even consider it.
 
Well, I'm always banging on about it! I don't think many people have heard about it but as the fuel prices have gone up, it's getting more popular.

Have a look here:- http://www.lpg-vehicles.co.uk/

Basically, you can convert any petrol engine to run on LPG but not a diesel. My car is a Jeep Cherokee 4.0Litre and costs 25 pounds to fill up. It tows my trailer fine, no problems whatsoever. My OH had his Volvo converted and it cost about 1200 pounds. LPG costs 55p per litre - it is about 15% less efficient than petrol but that is more than offset by the lower price. In fact, we calculated we would save the conversion costs within 15 months.

I would highly highly recommend conversion - it's cheaper, more environmentally friendly, you get a reduction in road tax and you can still use petrol if you run out of gas. One thing to consider is the gas tank which needs to be installed. Always get the largest size available because not all petrol stations have LPG. My tank is under the car leaving me if my boot space for tack but my OH has his in the boot and that means he doesn't have as muchspace. You can look up the nearest LPG station online and download it onto your satnav if you have one so you always know where to refuel.

PM me if you have any questions - I'm always hassling my friends and family to convert!
 
My colleague used to have it, but had trouble getting car insurance once it was fitted, so meant he had to pay a much higher insurance premium. Don't think he found it much cheaper to run either (but then it was on an economical family saloon and not something more juicy). You also lose either boot room it is located where your spare wheel should be (again not such a problem with a 4x4 I guess).
 
I think possibly, one of the big draw backs is the lack of garages supplying LPG.
 
My OH is converting a Range Rover...its taking a while (years....but thats because everything takes him ages to do) but is becoming a higher priority with fuel prices going the way they are.
 
Diesel engines can't unfortunately be converted because the engine are different - you need a petrol one. For what it's worth, my insurance is the same as my OH's Volvo. Today I did a 50 mile round trip towing 2 tonnes of horses and trailer and it cost me 9 pounds... Certainly we have quite a few garages who supply LPG but I also wrote to my local Tesco's and they agreed to stock it - so write to your locals if there isn't one near!
 
My astra estate runs on LPG and saves me a fortune. My insurance was no trouble or extra expense.

The one warning i would have for people thinking about paying for their car to be converted would be... that from next year they are planning to get rid of the tax break so it would be any cheaper then. In fact, it will prolly be more expense, as Lpg hasnt got the same calorific value as petrol so i prolly get 30mpg on gas but 35mpg on petrol.
 
Possibly the government attitude not helping? My OH has booked his 4ltr jeep in for conversion, his insurance will go down by a hole £10! But he is still going to have to pay £400 tax next year, because he has a polluting car! Why because even as an LPG it has to use a tiny amount to petrol to start the car!! so much for green tax! There is a book out that lists all the garages that have a gas pump if that helps any one!
 
i have a 4lt petrol jeep which is currently sat in my front garden with just enough petrol to get it to the petrol station! i only use it on weekends (so it gets a run ) and to tow with.i will also be paying 400 quid to tax it and i reckon i do 50 miles a week in it if that!!
sorry to hijack your post orangehorse
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