Recently in LPG Category

Did anyone hear this on BBC Radio 4 this morning? BP's CEO Tony Hayward was interviwed on the Today programme and made some interesting predictions about future energy prices and when oil supply will reach its peak.

Mr Hayward said that  gasoline consumption reached it's peak in 2007 and continued to say that suppliers in the US and Europe would not sell more gasoline than they did in 2007, ever. This is down to policy and government regulation, which is driving efficiency in transport fleets "and that's a good thing!" he said.

There are also interesting points about gas supply in the UK and how the we can bridge the gap with our future energy needs. Perhaps, the gas-powered Mercedes Sprinter and Iveco Daily will be more prominent in future fleets than we think...

Leeds City Council (LCC) has just put a new gas-powered Mercedes Econic refuse truck into service. It's based on a standard 26-tonne 6x2 Econic chassis and is powered by a purpose-built 279hp diesel engine along with four tanks (with a combined capacity of 720 litres) to carry the compressed natural gas fuel.

Terry Pycroft, head of fleet services at LCC, says: "Like all local authorities we are striving to meet targets for the reduction of our carbon emissions and we see this Mercedes Econic as offering the potential to make some very significant savings."

This particular model is the second gas-powered Econic to enter service in the UK, however, it is unique in that it's the first gas-powered refuse truck doing the rounds in Britain. The gas Econic 2628LLG has been purchased outright from local Merc dealership Northside Truck & Van.

FFD braved the snow (and public transport) to go and drive Merc's compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Sprinter at the manufacturer's base in Milton Keynes.

Future Fuel Debate came across this story recently on roadtransport.com about government's lack on focus on the green agenda. So, is the government doing enough to push forward the switch to green fuels and alternative propulsion for the automotive market?

After attending the LCV 2009 Ride and Drive event at Millbrook last week it was impressive to see the how much the alternative fuels/propulsion industry has grown. There was everything from electric motorbikes to hybrid trucks for us to sample and there was even a guest appearance by minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Drayson.

Much song and dance has been made about LPG power and its environmental benefits, but is it really a viable alternative to diesel (and to a lesser extent petrol)? Interestingly it's 50% cheaper at the pumps than diesel, which sounds very attractive especially since the 2p fuel-levy increase came into effect recently.

CM decided to settle the argument once and for all by taking three indentical vans powered by three very different fuels (diesel, LPG and petrol) across foggy London town to see for ourselves. The results aren't what you'd expect. Look out for the full report in the 17 September issue of CM.

What are your experiences with LPG? If you've dabbled or currently own a whole fleet-load of LPG vans/CVs I'd love to hear about it.