Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

When Shell stopped LPG I had to get topped up at the ASDA filling station - 5 miles in the opposite direction. I see they have now finished with it too. There is nowhere else locally.

This is bad news for anyone like me who runs an old gas guzzler that they have converted to LPG... but it also made me wonder how long it will be before petrol pumps will be replaced with electric charging points?

I could try selling my P38 but I can't see anyone wanting to buy it. If I wouldn't want a 4.6 litre car that only does 15MPG who would??

https://www.petrolprices.com/news/mfg-is-planning-to-end-the-sale-of-auto-lpg-on-its-forecourts/

[alastairq]

I think there's a lot of scaremongering concerning the imminent demise of petrol and retailers]

I also think world events will see a lot of this eco-posturing by governments [including ours] go to the wall as more immediate concerns raise their ugly heads [as is happening even now...Germany, gas, and coal , for example?}

The price of electricity will go through the roof [since no politician seems willing to do something about it?]...thus bringing electric running costs ever closer to those of petrol, methinks? Certainly, infrastructure is far too fragile in the near future]to see a wholesale reduction in retail petrol outlets.
Then, there's the overall percentages of electric vehicles compared to petrol [or diesel]...?
Whilst everybody who lives and works in the London area may well consider the prices of new electric vehicles to be more than reasonable...the rest of us don't!

My local garage retailer still has LPG, and is unlikely to get rid of it any time soon [I asked!]....It's an Esso garage, but it serves a large rural community [as well as considerable passing trade, especially in the summer]...Seeing as there are still many farm vehicles which use LPG...as well as rural dwellings who rely upon it, and it's brethren, for heating, etc, the demand remains.
I did think of floggin the Mustang and spending the profits on a Dacia Sandero...which could be had as a duel fuel car...
However, being a titewad pensioner with zero assets and an annoying social attitude, I struggle to spend more than 500 quid on a daily driver...

[Currently, £1.78 a litre E10....and a retailer on the edge of the nearest town, sells it at £1.76 a litre. Still not as cheap as fuel spots in the Malton [North Yorkshire] area [£1,68 a litre!!!!]

Odd sign being sported on the back of a cyclist's bicycle that had to be passed eventually, when out today......claiming that it was a 100% carbon free vehicle?
Typically, the rider ignoring the immense amount of harm done to the environment in the manufacture of the thing?
Which, it turned out, cost more to buy than my car did!!! At over £1000!
Not forgetting the environmental costs of the manufacture of his specialist cycling clothing [lycra?], or the huge social costs in whatever 3rd world country the garments were made in?
Sorry ,he was in the queue for sarnies in front of me.......I got a puzzled look when I interrupted his tirade at other large vehicle drivers in front.....by suggesting he would have been more environmentally friendly if he'd bought himself a 2nd hand pushbike for £25, and overhauled it....thereby re-cycling what has already paid for itself, environmentally?
Whilst he was in a banter mode with some old drivers in front of him in the caff/farm shop [I was buying carrots and parsnips, as well as a Squausage sarnie with brown sauce, on white]...I couldn't help butting in....[as if I really gave a damn?]

I think what we as enthusiasts need to worry about is, at what point in our futures will we actually 'give up' driving, due to old age and infirmity....and whether the future of petrol or whatever really is gong to be of undue concern?
Being, myself, now 'over-70,' I cannot see me honestly driving for much more than 10 to 15 years hence? I'd like to think I will live longer, and still be annoying modern day drivers on the roads....but one has to be realistic about these things? I have good health [after a fashion], and have enough driving skill[having professionally taught such stuff to a high standard during my working life] to meet the required standard on any future old-driver assessment........but, who can tell what the future may hold for us all?

LPG is a bit of a niche fuel.....compared to the likes of diesel, for example?

Probably less so on the continong?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

[Ray White]

I don't often bother to predict the future but I called it right when the Government announced the cessation of petrol and Diesel cars from 2030. This foolhardy policy will clearly be detrimental to some of our most successful companies and they won't take that lying down.

If I could see how the oil companies would not go down without a fight why couldn't the 'Powers that be' also see it. ? The big oil companies are determined to make as much money as possible while they can and will use any excuse (like the war in Ukraine) to maximise their profits.

[ukdave2002]

The sale of petrol & diesel cars may cease in 2030, but commercial vehicles will still run on diesel, there is little chance of battery technology being able to power a 38 tonne HGV with any meaningful range for decades, in which case I can't see obtaining diesel being a problem for a very long time.

Don't forget its only the sale of new cars that will cease in 2030 there will be thousands of petrol and diesel vehicles running way past 2030.

Regarding LPG can you fill from bottled LPG or is that impractical or costly?

Dave

[Bitumen Boy]

[Ray White]

The problem is there is that LPG has quite a limited range compared to petrol and needs quite a big tank. In many cars like mine a circular tank replaces the spare wheel and fits the space nicely. In fact the conversion they did for me (which cost £2k ten years ago) was simply brilliant and the filler was discretely mounted in the trim.

The idea of having to lug heavy bottles of gas about does not appeal. I just think it's a shame that a clean fuel like LPG never caught on; if ever a trick was missed....

[DHS2Dave]

[Ray White]

I still have my P38 Range Rover and now the last LPG filling station in our area has closed I am having to run on petrol; at 15 MPG it's no joke.

Auto Tech of Ripley who did my LPG conversion has closed permanently, so now I will have to seriously consider moving the car on. I will be lucky if there is anyone out there who would want to take on a 22 year old, 4.6 litre gas guzzler - even one with only 90,000 miles on the clock.

[badhuis]

LPG is still hanging on here in the Netherlands.
When I had to drive a lot (commuting) I drove several cars on LPG, most converted myself: Triumph 2000 Mk2 and Mk1, 2500 Mk2, Jaguar 420 and lastly a 1984 Range Rover three door. The Range Rover had an LPG tank underneath.
Then the government changed the rules: only cars over 40 years old were exempted from road tax. Before, this was for cars over 25 years. This meant my converted Range Rover was useless as it was too expensive for me to use. Road tax for cars under 40 years of age is calculated by the vehicle weight, plus an additional 200% is added if the car runs on LPG. So I drove the car to the shed where it still is, 8,5 years later. Next year I will pull it from the shed, give it new tyres, change the fluids, check the brakes and suspension, repair/fill the A/C and get it ready for its 40th birthday in Feb 2024 when it will drive again on the road.


_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment