Ref. 30530-24PETROL prices are creeping up, but now drivers can slash their fuel costs and do their bit for the environment too.

Converting a car to use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) means cheaper running costs of up to 50 per cent, with LPG fuel costing about 41p a litre.

LPG known as autogas is essentially the same gas you might use to power a barbecue.

A natural hydrocarbon fuel made up of propane and butane, it becomes liquid when under pressure and reverts to gases under normal conditions.

And because it is so much cleaner than petrol, the Government is offering big grants as an incentive for drivers to convert their cars.

Clive Marks, from Dieselec Gas & Go, based on Swindon's Okus Trading Estate, has been carrying out LPG conversions for five years.

"In the early days business was very slow but things picked up three years ago and now we convert about one a month," he said.

It takes Dieselec about a week to carry out a conversion.

"There is quite a lot of work involved because we have to put in a totally separate fuel system," said Mr Marks.

Conversion costs range from £1,200 to £2,500, depending on the car's fuel system. The more basic the system, the cheaper the conversion.

A growing range of vehicles may qualify for government grants of £700 towards the cost of an LPG installation.

"The reason that LPG is so cheap is because it is clean," said Mr Marks.

Indeed, it reduces harmful emissions by 75 per cent with less carbon dioxide than petrol and fewer particulates and nitrogen oxides than diesel.

On the downside, LPG cars have slightly worse consumption than petrol engines.

So a vehicle that can normally do 30 miles to the gallon may only go 27 if running on gas.

Filling up with LPG is just as easy as filling up with petrol or diesel, and there are currently three places in the Swindon area selling the gas.

A converted vehicle can run on both LPG and petrol, so in the event of the cleaner fuel being unavailable, drivers can still flick a switch to run on petrol whenever necessary.

Car manufacturers have started to produce vehicles with LPG systems fitted, as more drivers demand the new technology.

Mr Marks said LPG would eventually be overtaken by other, greener alternatives.

"In 10 years' time the next generation of clean vehicles may well be on the market and the cleanest engines may be electric or hydrogen powered," he said.

"But for now and the near future, gas is by far the cheapest option."

LPG: The Facts

There are more than eight million LPG vehicles in operation worldwide.

The UK currently has more than 100,000 vehicles running on LPG.

There are more than 1,200 refuelling stations in the UK.

Major manufacturers producing bi-fuel cars include Vauxhall, Volvo, Ford and Rover.

LPG refuelling Stations

Autocolour, Cannons Industrial Estate, Station Road, Wootton Bassett. Call 01793 853677.

Calor Gas Direct, Bridge End Road, Swindon. Call 01793 613391.

Dieselec Gas & Go, Unit 39/40D Okus Trading Estate, Swindon. Call 01793 612007.

For more information about LPG call Boost LPG's helpline on 08000 325533 or go to www.boostlpg.com