CAN ALTERNATIVE FUELS SAVE YOU MONEY?

This article addresses some issues, involving both transport and the environment, with which the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) is concerned. One of the most important of these issues is the promotion of gas-powered and electric vehicles that run on alternative fuels. In the Government's Budget in March 1999, the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced by 29% the level of duty on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Duty on these fuels is now about 20% of that on petrol and diesel. As a result, vehicle fleet operators have become much more intestered in gas-powered vehicles. Such fuels can offer reduced emissions and other environmental benefits, especailly if used instead of diesel, as they produce lower emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Engine modifications and the installation of special fuel tanks are needed to adapt an existing vehicle to run on gas, but an increasing number of new vehicles are being built to run on gas. The article also considers: (1) the economic benefits of switching to alternative fuels; (2) other alternative fuel factors and technologies; (3) electric vehicles; (4) other relevant developments; (5) the DETR Powershift Programme to develop a market for cleaner vehicles; and (6) future prospects.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13662104
• Corporate Authors:

  PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LTD

  PETERSGATE HOUSE, ST PETERSGATE
  STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE  United Kingdom  SK1 1HE
• Authors:
  • GAYNOR, M
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 14-5
• Serial:
  • OVERVIEW MAGAZINE
  • Issue Number: 22
  • Publisher: PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 1366-2104

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Electric vehicles; Environment; Environmental protection; Federal government; Fuels; Gases; Marketing; Policy; Pollutants; Taxes; Transportation; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases; Modifications
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 9000: Alternative; 9009: Decrease; 1282: Electric vehicle; 2442: Emission; 2455: Environment; 2444: Environment protection; 3850: Fuel; 6734: Gas; 183: Government (national); 277: Marketing; 9048: Modification; 173: Policy; 268: Tax; 1155: Transport; 8119: United Kingdom; 1255: Vehicle
• Subject Areas: Energy; Policy; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00779433
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 7 1999 12:00AM