Volkswagen Scandal Fuels LPG Interest in U.K.

Fallout from the Volkswagen emissions-cheating scandal is reviving interest in the U.K. in liquid-propane-gas vehicle conversions, a provider of the alternative fuel says.

Autogas says the number of individual drivers and fleet operators indicating interest in converting their cars to run on LPG in the two months since the VW scandal broke has more than doubled the normal monthly volume.

Vehicles running on LPG emit about 80% less nitrogen oxide compared with diesel cars and about 98% less particulates, says Autogas, a joint venture between Shell and Calor, a U.K. provider of LPG to residential and commercial customers.

Autogas has established a nationwide vehicle-conversion network in response to growing consumer concerns about emissions. Conversions typically cost about £1,500 ($2,255) for a 4-cyl. gasoline engine.

The average price in the U.K. for unleaded gasoline is about £4.08 ($6.13) a U.S. gallon, while LPG is significantly lower at £2.08 ($3.13) a gallon, Autogas says.

The JV has LPG refueling installations at more than 215 locations throughout the U.K., and there are more than 1,400 throughout the region.