VAUXHALL has pride of place in the new Powershift Register after it became the first car manufacturer to appear, and qualified for the highest grant available. The company's 2.0-litre Vectra and Omega LPG conversions qualify for a 75% grant on the premium over a normal model (currently £1,950, including VAT).

Vauxhall's bi-fuel vans are undergoing checks to see if they will receive the same level of subsidy. Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall fleet sales director, said: 'This is official recognition of what we have done behind the scenes. Vauxhall's green credentials were already pretty impressive, now they are virtually unbeatable. I am pretty certain this news will give alternative fuels a push in the right direction.'