Manufacturers point way forward with gas

THE decision of key manufacturers to start building gas-powered cars on the production line marks a clear advance for alternative fuels. With Vauxhall, Ford, Volvo, Skoda, Proton and Daihatsu all offering gas vehicles straight off the production lines, fleets can look to going for gas as replacement cycles are completed, according to Henry Clayton, Shell's MotorGas key accounts manager.

He said fleet managers will go for LPG when they analyse the issues facing them in choosing a fuel. 'Emissions are very low, range is no longer a problem, refuelling is becoming less of an issue, safety is as good as or better than conventional fuels, performance is good, and the cost is only in the initial outlay and quickly pays for itself in running the vehicle,' said Clayton.

Shell MotorGas has already made a commitment to have 200 liquefied petroleum gas pumps on forecourts by the year 2000 and anticipates a large take-up of the fuel by fleets during the next few years.