VAUXHALL is expanding its range of gas-powered vehicles with the launch of the Dualfuel Zafira.

The Zafira 1.8 Dualfuel comes with a 50-litre liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in place of the spare wheel, and a 'get me home' tyre inflation kit.

The car complies with Euro IV emissions legislation and qualifies for a full discount on the proposed London congestion charging scheme on payment of a £10 annual fee. The car also qualifies for a PowerShift grant of 60% of the pre-VAT conversion cost of £1,660, and a Club model can be put on the road for less than £15,500.

LPG cars have lower carbon dioxide emissions than petrol equivalents and Inland Revenue approved conversions qualify for a one percentage point benefit-in-kind tax discount.

LPG is also currently half the price of petrol at the pump thanks to lower fuel duty. The Zafira 1.8 Dualfuel will be followed later this year by a 1.6-litre version as well as a Dualfuel Vectra 1.8.

Next year there will be a Dualfuel Corsa and Corsavan using an LPG converted 1.2-litre engine.

Ian Blinder, Vauxhall special vehicles manager, said: 'We expect a lot of interest from taxi operators who would benefit from low fuel costs – and do their town centres an environmental favour at the same time.'