A so-called diesel blend system that converts diesel engines to dual-fuel engines, and can be supplied with finance, is being claimed to offer fleet operators and contractors cost savings from day one.
Created by Cheshire-based LPG Fleet Solutions – specialists in vehicle sourcing and diesel blend technology – the system apparently delivers savings on fuel costs of up to 29%, and the firm says no initial capital outlay is required.
The diesel blend system is conventional insofar as it replaces a quantity of diesel with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). In this case, it is installed beside the original motor management system, and is claimed to be suitable for diesel engines from Euro 3 up.
The firm says it monitors parameters including engine speed, turbo pressure, diesel injection rate, position of the accelerator pedal, engine torque and the temperature of the coolant, to determine the optimum balance between diesel and LPG.
It has initially been tailored for Ford Transits powered by the Euro 4 2.4-litre 115bhp diesel engine – although LPG Fleet Solutions says it can be installed across a wide range of car-derived vans, trucks and HGVs.
Trials recently carried out on the Transit engine have delivered 29% savings on fuel costs over an intensive two-week trial period, according to the company.
It is currently being developed for Euro 5 engines and LPG says it will be available shortly.
