THE Government must lead the fleet drive towards gas-powered vehicles, according to Tim Betts, manager of Shell Fuel and Fleet Services. With 85% of the cost of a litre or gallon of petrol or diesel being taken by the Government in tax, Betts said: 'Alternative fuel is in the hands of the Government more than it is in the hands of the oil companies. Uptake will be driven by the Government moving tax duties from one fuel to another to persuade industry to move towards another type of fuel. They have done that with both diesel and liquefied petroleum gas in the past.'

He added: 'We will also be driven by motor manufacturers persuading their customers to buy vehicles which require alternative fuels. If there is a need for gas we can provide it. We will match the need whoever creates it.' However, while cost and the lack of a significant market presently prohibit Shell from equipping all their forecourts with gas pumps he admitted in some local areas demand could be high enough to warrant a supply.