The UK’s liquefied petroleum gas trade association (UKLPG) is urging the incoming air quality minister to support the significant role that automotive LPG could play in reducing harmful emissions from the transport sector.
A Supreme Court ruling last month said the government must produce a new air quality plan by the end of 2015, following the UK’s failure to meet EU nitrogen dioxide reduction targets in several major cities, with a new air quality minister to be appointed later this week to drive the scheme forward.
UKLPG is calling on the new minister to draw upon latest research it commissioned from Millbrook Proving Ground and recognise the air quality benefits of automotive LPG, such as a significant reduction in CO2, NOx and particulate matter compared with petrol or diesel vehicles.
Millbrook’s report highlights the potential for LPG to take an ongoing role within the UK’s current transport mix both as a mono and dual fuel, as well as being a strong partner for future technologies, with scope to work with fuel cells, plug-in hybrids and auxilliary power units.
Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG, said: “As an incredibly versatile, plentiful and clean fuel, automotive LPG deserves far greater recognition for its air quality, low-carbon and cost effective benefits which we urge the new minister to recognise.”
He added: “The research, backed by supporting evidence, clearly identifies the potential for a strong future for automotive LPG to 2050. We’re keen to work together with the automotive industry and policy-makers to develop the future of low-carbon road transport in which automotive LPG plays a key role.”
