UK’s LPG Car Market in Free Fall: Why the Environmentally Friendly Option is Fading Fast
The Decline of LPG in the UK: What’s Next for This Alternative Fuel?
The demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for automobiles in the UK has significantly decreased in recent years. Once promoted as a clean and inexpensive fuel, its popularity has fallen, with many gas stations closing down.
The British government initially introduced generous tax breaks for LPG, leading to an expansion of filling stations. However, with the disappearance of government subsidies, the number of refueling points has dwindled, and most automakers have withdrawn their support. Is the era of LPG coming to an end?
Dacia, a Romanian car manufacturer, is the only company in the UK selling new LPG cars. They offer bi-fuel versions (used in combination with gasoline) for their compact cars, the Duster and Sandero. According to the company, LPG remains strong, accounting for about 10% of total unit sales.
“We are committed to LPG because it perfectly matches what Dacia customers want: easy, simple, efficient, and affordable passenger cars,” a spokesperson said.
LPG vehicles emit relatively low CO2 and particulate matter. However, without tax exemption measures in low-emission zones, the low cost of fuel is a significant benefit for drivers. According to Dacia, bi-fuel cars cost 40% less on fuel, despite fuel efficiency being about 20% worse when running on LPG.
The UK website “FillLPG” lists LPG refueling points across the country on a map, along with the latest prices. At the time of writing, the average price per liter for LPG is 97p, compared to 1.35 pounds for unleaded petrol.
At the height of LPG’s popularity, there were nearly 2,000 filling stations. However, it is thought that there are now only about 500. Since major companies have removed their pumps, motorists have had to seek refueling stations further away from cities, such as in industrial areas or caravan parks.
A spokesperson for Liquid Gas UK, the industry body for LPG suppliers, said: “There are currently more than 70,000 LPG vehicles on the road in the UK. However, numbers are falling due to the government’s focus on electric vehicles (EVs). The number of public refueling points has fallen, but it is still widely distributed across the UK and will continue to provide greener, cleaner vehicles as a transitional fuel until EVs and other alternative fuels become commercially viable.
Gloucester Land Rover, an independent used SUV dealer, installed LPG conversion kits, but the boss, Russ Knight, said this type of work was declining. “I used to get asked to install LPG systems often, but I can’t remember the last time I saw one.”
This decline is due to improvements in diesel technology, Knight said. “New diesel engines in 4WD vehicles are far superior in performance and refinement to their predecessors. LPG filling stations are also disappearing, with people having to travel miles to fill up at caravan parks. No one wants to.”
LPG Compatible Cars in Europe
Check out the Dacia Duster, one of the few LPG compatible cars available in the UK.
Dacia Duster LPG compatible car.