Cars have been about for many years and we fuel them with either petrol or diesel fuel. However, it is now possible to use an alternative type of fuel, and ones that are kinder to the environment. Changing to an alternative fuel type can save you money but reducing your running costs the maintenance costs you need to carry out on your vehicle. If you work for a business it can also contribute to the Corporate Social Responsibility of your business. However, this is definitely something that should be considered by everyone whether the car is used for business of personal reasons.
These are just some of the alternative fuels available:
This type of fuel is best suited to small cars and vans rather than heavier vehicles. It is a blend of both propane and butane. Cars that run in this fuel drive in the same way to if they had been fueled with Petrol and are subject to the same maintenance checks that need to be carried out on petrol driven vehicles.
LPG fuel is generally thought to be similar to diesel in terms of 'green' credentials and offers 10-15% less carbon dioxide emissions that petrol.
A LPG vehicle will cost roughly 30% less to run than a petrol one and you can convert your existing petrol engine at a cost of about 1,200 to 2,700 pounds. Alternatively, you can buy a new vehicle and get the manufacturer to ensure that it is converted to LPG.
This can actually already be used in 5% of diesel engines with no need for conversion. It is made from the blend of crop oils including rape, sunflower and soybean oils. It is highly biodegradable and so is kind to waterways and plants if a spillage should occur. Up until recently it wasn't economically viable as it cost more to produce than normal diesel. However, in 2002 the government reduced the tax on biodiesel by 20 pence to make it a more cost effective alternative.
Biodiesel is becoming increasingly seen on the forecourts of petrol stations as a 5% blend. Generally, biodiesel gives a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.