SECURICOR Vehicle Services has taken delivery of two dual-fuel Ford Transits for a six-month pilot study with its parcel delivery operation Securicor Omega Express. The company revealed at the Fleet Motor Show that it has ordered a dozen more of the vans, converted by Tickford to run on liquefied petroleum gas, and if the experiment proves cost-effective the company will start to convert its entire London fleet to run on gas, before being rolled out to all its urban operations.

Calor Gas is installing a 4,000-litre tank at Omega Express's Vauxhall depot so the vehicles can be refuelled on site. Omega Express operates 3,500 vehicles, 2,000 of which are vans and appropriate to run on LPG, but in the competitive courier business gas must prove itself to be a winner in the wholelife cost stakes before the company makes a larger commitment.

Currently 86% of Securicor Group's fuel bill is tax - £40 million out of its £47 million fuel spend - so the beneficial duty rates for LPG and the widening differential with petrol and diesel should make it a cost-effective option for the company.