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UKLPG urges government to rethink automotive LPG incentives

The UK Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (UKLPG) is asking government to reconsider its support for automotive LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as part of its commitment to improving air quality in urban areas.

Following Tuesday's (9 July 2015) call by Labour MP Diane Abbott for the introduction of an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) in the capital by 2018 and tougher action to get the most polluting taxis, buses and trucks off the road, UKLPG is urging ministers to support increased take-up of automotive LPG.

Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG, makes the point that the British government has already been ordered by the Supreme Court to clean up its air quality act, or face millions of pounds in fines.

He also points to the environmental benefits of automotive LPG, supported in a study by Atlantic Consulting, which compared tailpipe emissions of vehicles powered by automotive LPG, petrol and diesel. This found diesel cars emit, on average, five times more NOx than automotive LPG.

Additionally, research carried out by Millbrook Proving Ground, Millbrook Evidence Report: The Future of LPG and its Use as an Automotive Fuel over the Next 35 Years' (February 2015), suggests that there is significant scope for LPG to work with fuel cells, as well as further potential for LPG with plug-in hybrids.

"As a low-carbon energy, automotive LPG has huge air quality benefits," insists Shuttleworth.

"It is a versatile and flexible fuel with less environmental impact than the alternatives," he continues.

"We would welcome a dialogue with ministers to see how we can support their proposals for lower emissions."

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