mallyscott

LPG is not really an alternative fuel because it's still a fossil fuel. Bio-fuels such as bio-diesel and ethanol are sustainable carbon neutral fuels. Particulates are a problem only with fossil diesel not with bio-diesel, which is a much cleaner fuel. NOx is a problem with all fuels but is worse with diesel fuels than petrol or LPG. NOx would not be a problem for any diesel fuels if they had cleaned the sulphur from fossil fuel because it is the sulphur that has until now prevented the use of a catalytic converter on diesel vehicles. Biodiesel contains no sulphur. NOx emissions have been reduced by Euro 3 and 4 standards, but will be reduced further by Euro 5. All emissions are reduced in lower consumption cars. LPG would be a good way to improve city air quality in the short term, if it didn't encourage people to drive bigger cars, but biofuels and much lower fuel consumption is the only way to go forward. The fuel price is determined by supply and demand and is not the responsibilty of OPEC members. If we want a lower price then we must use less.

I like LPG for its low level of toxic emissions, especially for city use, however it is a fossil fuel, it will disappear with the other fossil fuels. It emits slightly less carbon dioxide than petrol and diesel, but is not a match for bio-diesel which emits very little. We have a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions which bio-diesel can deliver in spades. What I don't like in the LPG scene is that the people who benefit most from the conversion (and who are getting it done) are those who drive the biggest, heaviest, most fuel consumptive vehicles. Having this conversion available actually encourages people to buy high consumption vehicles. I do see quite a bit of bad feeling towards the wilder group of gas guzzlers which hopefully will filter through to the consciousness of potential buyers. Malcolm

Raw plant oil can damage a pump due to it's high viscosity, but bio-diesel has the same viscosity as regular diesel as it meets the same european standards, and will not damage pumps or engines. It does not require lubricants and can be used as a 100% replacement for regular or in any mix. European rules will soon require all diesel fuel to contain a small percentage of bio-diesel. Other european countries already do this. Bio-diesel is not polluting in the same way as regular diesel and in particular does not add CO2 to the atmosphere as does LPG. Mal