Why aren't all cars LPG?
Discussion
LPG is cheap because as you said, the government don't tax it much, also, there is a lot less demand for it because not may people pay to convert their cars.
If all cars ran on LPG then it would probably cost more than petrol, even if the government didn't increase duty on LPG it would still see a huge price hike.
If all cars ran on LPG then it would probably cost more than petrol, even if the government didn't increase duty on LPG it would still see a huge price hike.
Blue Oval84 said:
LPG is cheap because as you said, the government don't tax it much, also, there is a lot less demand for it because not may people pay to convert their cars.
If all cars ran on LPG then it would probably cost more than petrol, even if the government didn't increase duty on LPG it would still see a huge price hike.
Yes, but in the meantime you'd think there'd be a lot more LPG offerings?If all cars ran on LPG then it would probably cost more than petrol, even if the government didn't increase duty on LPG it would still see a huge price hike.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
So, LPG is reet cheap. Why aren't all cars made LPG?
(I know the government would up the tax were it so, but nonetheless, why?)
In fact..can you buy an LPG new car from the showroom?
Petrol is also cheap, but as you spotted its taxed.(I know the government would up the tax were it so, but nonetheless, why?)
In fact..can you buy an LPG new car from the showroom?
If we all moved to LPG, then the revenue will move with it, its as simple as that.
98elise said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
So, LPG is reet cheap. Why aren't all cars made LPG?
(I know the government would up the tax were it so, but nonetheless, why?)
In fact..can you buy an LPG new car from the showroom?
Petrol is also cheap, but as you spotted its taxed.(I know the government would up the tax were it so, but nonetheless, why?)
In fact..can you buy an LPG new car from the showroom?
If we all moved to LPG, then the revenue will move with it, its as simple as that.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Rickyy said:
Don't Vauxhall, or used to, do dualfuel models from the factory? Saw an old chap filling a Mk4 Astra with LPG t'other day and had OEM looking dualfuel badges on it.
Aha. One problem is you can't take an LPG car through the Chunnel
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Yes, that's what I said...but in the meantime?
The meantime wouldn't take very long at all, also, Ford, Vauxhall and Volvo have all offered these cars in their popular Focus, Astra and S60 models but they didn't sell (and that was back when LPG really was cheap compared to petrol). My guess is they don't want to bother trying again.Vauxhall did do a dual fuel in the astra mate had one endless problems with it. I think proton and a few others do offer this though. The price to install a system with the space the tank takes up reduces the appeal also if not correctly serviced can burn holes in valves and cause other problems.
Euro tunnel comment does that really make a difference how many people regular drive through the tunnels ive been through there 3 times in 21 years.
Euro tunnel comment does that really make a difference how many people regular drive through the tunnels ive been through there 3 times in 21 years.
Cost and complexity outweighing any increase in sales to the manufacturer, I'd guess.
Certainly in this country there isn't the demand for LPG fuelled vehicles to make it worthwhile as a standard fit. To do so would necessitate a higher list price and that would be off-putting to a lot of buyers regardless of the potential savings in fuel cost. Hence the relatively small number of DualFuel Vauxhalls on the roads compared to the petrol and diesel versions.
Also there is the issue of the additional fuel tank which costs either luggage space or the accommodation for a spare wheel.
Incidentally, what with the LPG tank and pipework effectively comprising a Pressure System, is there any regulatory requirement for periodic inspection of the LPG setup? Or is this done at the MoT?
Certainly in this country there isn't the demand for LPG fuelled vehicles to make it worthwhile as a standard fit. To do so would necessitate a higher list price and that would be off-putting to a lot of buyers regardless of the potential savings in fuel cost. Hence the relatively small number of DualFuel Vauxhalls on the roads compared to the petrol and diesel versions.
Also there is the issue of the additional fuel tank which costs either luggage space or the accommodation for a spare wheel.
Incidentally, what with the LPG tank and pipework effectively comprising a Pressure System, is there any regulatory requirement for periodic inspection of the LPG setup? Or is this done at the MoT?
Jonny_ said:
Cost and complexity outweighing any increase in sales to the manufacturer, I'd guess.
Certainly in this country there isn't the demand for LPG fuelled vehicles to make it worthwhile as a standard fit. To do so would necessitate a higher list price and that would be off-putting to a lot of buyers regardless of the potential savings in fuel cost. Hence the relatively small number of DualFuel Vauxhalls on the roads compared to the petrol and diesel versions.
Also there is the issue of the additional fuel tank which costs either luggage space or the accommodation for a spare wheel.
Incidentally, what with the LPG tank and pipework effectively comprising a Pressure System, is there any regulatory requirement for periodic inspection of the LPG setup? Or is this done at the MoT?
Lpg is not tested on an mot and there is no regular inspections needed too apart from when the system is first set up.Certainly in this country there isn't the demand for LPG fuelled vehicles to make it worthwhile as a standard fit. To do so would necessitate a higher list price and that would be off-putting to a lot of buyers regardless of the potential savings in fuel cost. Hence the relatively small number of DualFuel Vauxhalls on the roads compared to the petrol and diesel versions.
Also there is the issue of the additional fuel tank which costs either luggage space or the accommodation for a spare wheel.
Incidentally, what with the LPG tank and pipework effectively comprising a Pressure System, is there any regulatory requirement for periodic inspection of the LPG setup? Or is this done at the MoT?
littleredrooster said:
I can promise you that you would NOT want to have a big shunt on the motorway with an LPG car...
I heard they're meant to be pretty robust in a smash, I don't think they're much worse in a crash than the fairly fragile tank of highly flammable liquid that most cars carry around?LPG has had its day and missed it. I had an LPG car for a while and whilst the savings were great, too few stations, short range, loss of space where the tank goes and added complexity (it's the first thing any garage will say if you have a problem with almost any part of your car, unless you take it to a specialist) outweigh the benefits in most case IMO.
I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
Liquid Tuna said:
LPG has had its day and missed it. I had an LPG car for a while and whilst the savings were great, too few stations, short range, loss of space where the tank goes and added complexity (it's the first thing any garage will say if you have a problem with almost any part of your car, unless you take it to a specialist) outweigh the benefits in most case IMO.
I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
I've had an LPG car for about 5 years and covered over 70000 miles with it, I've only once not been able to fill up (including driving all over the UK, France, and Italy) and that was in France on a Saturday night at 10pm as the LPG bit was part of the manned side of the station so I just put a bit of petrol in instead (using the 24 hour automated pump).I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
My tank is a spare wheel one which gives me a range of around 250 miles driving in pretty uneconomical fashion.
As for it being the first thing a garage says when you have a problem with the car surely you just switch it to petrol and if its fine on that then its the LPG system if its not then its a job for your normal garage. I take mine to a normal independent for usual stuff and a gas one for the gas stuff.
Although LPG has gone up in price over the years it consistently sits at around half the cost of Petrol and Diesel (at the moment I pay 66p/L).
A friend bought a Mazda 6 2 litre last year and had that converted to gas, hes already saved the cost of the conversion back and is now in profit, with the added bonus of not having to pay a premium to buy one of the diesel versions of the Mazda 6.
I don't think its had its day, and its certainly a great way to run something interesting without worrying about economy. I paid £1600 for my car (was already converted) 5 years ago and couldn't have afforded something diesel with that amount of power or afforded to run something on petrol with that kind of power.
Edited by andrewrob on Saturday 15th June 20:07
andrewrob said:
Liquid Tuna said:
LPG has had its day and missed it. I had an LPG car for a while and whilst the savings were great, too few stations, short range, loss of space where the tank goes and added complexity (it's the first thing any garage will say if you have a problem with almost any part of your car, unless you take it to a specialist) outweigh the benefits in most case IMO.
I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
I've had an LPG car for about 5 years and covered over 70000 miles with it, I've only once not been able to fill up (including driving all over the UK, France, and Italy) and that was in France on a Saturday night at 10pm as the LPG bit was part of the manned side of the station so I just put a bit of petrol in instead (using the 24 hour automated pump).I think it's really only worth it for:
a) BIG petrol engine, you know, like a 4.0l Range Rover or Jeep etc
b) Tiny engined car like a 1.0l car that already does 60mpg on petrol and you do huge miles commuting or something.
The thing about tax that everyone's saying isn't as clear cut as that. I'm sure it would go up, but as it's a cleaner burning fuel and is recognised as such by the government, it would be harder and harder to justify increasing tax on it like it is on normal petrol or dirty, dirty, diesel.
My tank is a spare wheel one which gives me a range of around 250 miles driving in pretty uneconomically fashion.
As for it being the first thing a garage says when you have a problem with the car surely you just switch it to petrol and if its fine on that then its the LPG system if its not then its a job for your normal garage. I take mine to a normal independent for usual stuff and a gas one for the gas stuff.
Although LPG has gone up in price over the years it consistently sits at around half the cost of Petrol and Diesel (at the moment I pay 66p/L).
A friend bought a Mazda 6 2 litre last year and had that converted to gas, hes already saved the cost of the conversion back and is now in profit, with the added bonus of not having to pay a premium to buy one of the diesel versions of the Mazda 6.
I don't think its had its day, and its certainly a great way to run something interesting without worrying about economy. I paid £1600 for my car (was already converted) 5 years ago and couldn't have afforded something diesel with that amount of power or afforded to run something on petrol with that kind of power.
k about filling a car with LPG.There's a reason why it never took off and it isn't because it's some great secret to saving money that no one knows about.
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