Calor Gas presented an LPG powered Vauxhall Omega to each of the three parties during the election campaign, and Labour's was driven by Chancellor Gordon Brown and President of the Board of Trade Margaret Becket among others.

Gideon Overwater, Calor's general manager automotive, said: 'We are pleased the Conservatives took the initiative and created some momentum towards LPG, CNG, electric vehicles and cleaner fuels, and the most important thing for Labour is to sustain it with the mini-budget or in the November Budget for five years. We are looking forward to a reduction in gaseous fuel duty and a further increase in the price differential between gas and petrol and diesel.'

Electric Vehicle Association director Brian Roden said: 'I think it is local councils which will make or break alternative fuels. However, the Labour Government will influence councils' spending and we need to persuade councils to look at using electric vehicles.'