Low carbon vehicle owners could soon be eligible for free or discounted parking.  The GBPP scheme is being tried and tested in Greater Manchester, but is aiming to expand to other cities across the UK.  Sheffield have a similar scheme that offers free parking to dual-fuel cars, however Keith Boxer and Lelia O’Sullivan (founders of GBPP) believe that cars should qualify for the GBPP based on CO2 emissions rather than fuel types.  This would mean that single-fuelled vehicles, such as the Smart car, could also qualify for free parking.  To qualify for a permit owners must have registration certificate, MoT certificate, driver’s license and insurance details.  The GBPP is only open to private car owners, however opening the permit to fleets would encourage high mileage users to cut their CO2 emissions.
The GBPP has been labeled as an “innovative policy proposal to promote low carbon vehicles and fuels” by Fleet News Magazine.

PML Flightink has worked with their partners at Synergy Innovations to transform a Mini Cooper with a regular gasoline engine into the “best electric drive system in the world”.  The Hybrid Mini, with top speeds of 150mph, and achieving 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, has been modified to achieve up to 80mpg.  The technology used in known as in-wheel electric drive systems, and is part of a 4 year product development programme.  Another case proving that converting to an alternative fuel does not result in performance loss.

Scooters are an efficient way to travel and scooter use in rural areas is supported by the Wheels for Work Scheme. A new brand of scooter has now hit the UK - Vialli. Vialli Scooters run on LPG and achieve about 70miles to a tank costing only £1.90 for a full tank of fuel. The scooters are a cost efficient way to travel and produce around 20% less CO2 emissions than petrol scooters, benefiting the environment as well. Vialli have brought out 8 models costing £1,595(50cc) and £2,195(125cc). Managing Director, Darren Burrows says:

I have already mentioned in last weeks Blog the growing demand for LPG Conversions in Australia. The Australian Government warn people to stay away from unsafe LPG Conversions. In order to clear the backlog of cars waiting to be converted to LPG the Government are introducing a A$1.2million skills package to train more engineers in LPG Conversions. All I can say is Australia is certainly leading the way with LPG and we should be following more closely in their footsteps!

Proud to have an alternative fuel car? Treehugger highlighted AutoblogGreen’s entry on Biodiesel stickers for your car. Running your car on an alternative fuel is becoming increasingly trendy with celebrities, individuals and organisations alike so why show people what your fuel of choice is. Check out the Biodiesel stickers or if you are an LPG fanatic (like Fuelture) why not email us and we will send you an LPG Sticker for your car.

Fuelture constantly stresses the importance of quality when opting to have your car converted to LPG.  And we are not alone; Powertrain, Calor, Birmingham Trading Standards, MG Rover Group, LP Gas Association and the Energy Saving Trust are warning the public about the dangers of getting an unapproved LPG Conversion.

Recent research unveiled that 19 out of 20 cars converted by an unapproved garage proved to be potentially dangerous.  The industry is looking to introduce a licensing scheme in addition to the LPGA list of approved installers.  MP, Melanie Johnson commented: