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I have been a motor vehicle technician, as we now like to be known, for over 19 years. I must warn you that I am biased toward LPG as I have converted my Rover Sterling 2.7 V6 Auto, which I must say has taken to LPG with the minimum of problems. My Rover is fitted with a Marini Regulator, Leonardo electronics and a single-hole cylinder tank. I fitted this kit due to the price and also wanted a comparison against the Landi Renzo system.

I prefer to use Landi Renzo front end kits and electronics although I have fitted other makes ( Marini, Lovato and Leonardo electronics) which I feel lack build quality, which can lead to premature failure and poor running characteristics. I have also been told that the cheaper regulators have different internal seals that our gas erodes over a period of time. This I cannot confirm and could be just sales talk, but is worth looking into.

LPG – What’s the big attraction?

LPG is far less expensive than that petrol or diesel, and much cleaner to (see chart below), any vehicle running on all Autogas that has been converted and correctly setup by a competent installer, will comfortably pass all present and anticipated emission legislation.

On March 7, 2001, the chancellor announced a 3 pence per litre reduction in duty on LPG, because it’s so environmentally friendly compared to traditional petrol and diesel (recent tests also show improvements over Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel). This is the latest in a series of duty retractions, and will be maintained until at least 2004. So the cost advantages are greater than ever – especially if you have your own tank installed if you have the room.

Government Support ?

Many people have voiced their concern that after 2004 the cost of LPG could rocket. The answer to that question nobody really knows, but my belief is that the Government will find it very difficult to raise duty substantially on LPG as they have done with petrol and diesel. For one, LPG has such low emissions with the only by-product being water. Also the government has not asked everyone to go out and convert, as they did when diesel was the best thing since sliced bread. The government can tax petrol and diesel so heavily due to its damaging effect on the environment with acid rain and greenhouse gases etc. a worthy reason that no one could argue against.

The government has also not backed the LPG conversions very effectively. I know they have showed some commitment with the introduction of the Powershift Grants, which they have revised to include vehicles up to five years old. But unfortunately, you have to convert a specific make/model of vehicle with a specific engine size which also needs to be converted using a specific gas system.

To clarify - a Citroen Xantia 1800 cc fitted with Landi Renzo system will get a 40% grant , but a Citroen Xantia 2 Ltr fitted with any gas equipment does not qualify for a grant at all. This is due to the independent gas companies such as Ecogas Systems Ltd and Key Autogas Ltd having to submit vehicles at their own expense for government tests, to determine and prove emission reductions. Depending on the reduction in emissions, sets the grant available for that vehicle with that particular system.

If the government was totally committed to LPG (which does NOT harm the environment), then they would test vehicles at their expense and all vehicles, if suitable, would qualify for a grant. The truth is if everyone converted to using LPG the government would lose a great deal of money in petrol and diesel duty, so it is not beneficial to them to promote LPG.