SECURICOR Omega Express's introduction of a further 42 liquefied petroleum gas-fuelled Ford Transit HiCube vans to its fleet now makes it the largest commercial LPG fleet in the country. The 5,200-strong parcel delivery and collection fleet now includes 100 LPG-fuelled vehicles, 58 of which are based at its Vauxhall branch serving central London.

Of the remaining 42 LPG vehicles, 35 Transits will be based at the company's Ashton-under-Lyne branch and seven at its Hull branch. All of the vehicles are being used for parcel deliveries and collection, fulfilling the company's objective to cut fuel costs while also reducing the harm it causes to the environment.

John Hogan, managing director of Securicor Omega Express, said: 'The introduction of LPG-fuelled vehicles in Greater Manchester and Humberside clearly demonstrates the company's continued commitment towards sustaining a cleaner environment throughout the country. We are attempting to reduce our overall vehicle emissions in urban areas, although the geographical spread of fuelling facilities is restricting our progress to continue the initiative on a nationwide scale.'

Securicor first took delivery of two LPG Transits in May last year for a six-month pilot study, which was accompanied by the installation of a 4,000-litre LPG fuel tank at its Vauxhall, London, depot. Hogan also dismissed recent controversial claims that dual-fuel vehicles will be obsolete within five years because they will not keep pace with the environmental enhancements offered through improvements to petrol and diesel engines.

He said: 'Commercial fleets such as ours will lead the way into LPG by starting with depot-based refuelling, but then through economies of scale forcing the oil companies to improve the forecourt infrastructure. And with 86% of our multi-million pound fuel bill going on duty to the Government, the beneficial duty rates for LPG and the widening differential with petrol and diesel makes it a cost-effective option for the company, as has been proved with our existing vehicles. Once the national infrastructure of service stations improves, we will continue to add LPG vehicles to the fleet.'