Cleaner fuels Whether you are an individual or fleet manager, there are a range of cleaner fuels and vehicles on the market that not only offer significant environmental benefits but have lower running costs. Cars running on cleaner fuels are eligible for a 100% discount from the London Congestion Charge and may also receive tax concessions and other rebates. As part of the UK Government's climate change programme and air quality strategy to decrease carbon emissions from road transport, grants are now available encouraging organisations to install refuelling or recharging stations for alternative fuels (i.e. non diesel and non petrol). Funding is available for hydrogen, electric, E85 bioethanol and natural gas/biogas stations and other non traditional fuels. Further information on eligibility for funding applications and how to apply is available on the Energy Savings Trust website. Types of cleaner fuels available in the UK: 1) LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) Currently a number of major motor manufactures are offering a dual fuel (petrol/LPG) option in their model range. These vehicles offer the benefits of LPG with the option to switch to unleaded petrol at the flick of a switch. In some cases it may also be possible to covert existing vehicles with petrol engines to dual fuel operation. LPG can significantly reduce many of the harmful exhaust emissions, produced by the majority of conventional cars and light vans, in some cases by up to 90%. Because of these environmental benefits the government have significantly reduced tax on the fuel. The Council use LPG vehicles as part of their fleet. Cost saving Safety Availability of LPG locally As of October 2004 the following outlets supply LPG for car and van use:
There are also outlets in all neighbouring boroughs. 2) Electric vehicles Common uses include pool cars, delivery and courier cars, motorcycles, service vehicles in airports and sensitive areas, for example, childcare centres and hospitals. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions, however, at the point of production of the electricity, i.e. in the power station, there will be emissions to air in most cases, unless the electricity is produced by a renewable source such as wind power or hydroelectric power. Electric vehicles qualify for 100% discount from the congestion charge, and are not subject to vehicle excise duty. Find out about our pilot scheme to provide charging points for electric vehicles in Wandsworth. 3) Electric hybrids Electric vehicles qualify for 100 % discount from the congestion charge, and reduced vehicle excise duty. 4) Natural gas When used in vehicles, natural gas can be stored under pressure or as a liquid, hence the terms - compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Due to the weight and cost of on-board gas tanks, conversions of existing vehicles have been limited to mainly trucks, buses and larger vehicles. Natural gas vehicles either have a dedicated gas engine or they are dual-fuel, which means they can burn both diesel and natural gas simultaneously in the engine. Natural Gas powered vehicles qualify for 100% discount from the congestion charge, and are not subject to vehicle excise duty. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes may also quality for Reduced Pollution Certificate and a subsequent reduction of up to £500 in annual road tax. The Vehicle Inspectorate can be contacted for more details. Availability of CNG locally 5) Biodiesel Biodiesel can be produced from the oil of crops including oilseed rape, sunflowers, and soybeans, as well as from waste cooking oils. None of these oils should be used in engines un-processed as they leave damaging glycerine deposits. Instead the oils are reacted with methanol to produce methyl esters - rape methyl ester (RME) is most common in the UK. Biodiesel is considered to be a renewable fuel as the crops used to make the fuel take in carbon dioxide as they grow. The main environmental advantage of Biodiesel is that is carbon neutral, so using 100% Biodiesel in your vehicle means you are not adding to the global warming crisis. However, the environmental benefits at the point of use may not be as great as with some of the other fuels already discussed. 6) Fuel cells Fuel cell vehicles are not yet commercially available, although most vehicle manufacturers have fuel cell programmes and many believe these vehicles will outsell other vehicle types within 15-20 years. Smoky vehicles You can contact VOSA in the following ways: Tel: 0870 60 60 440 Please state in the email title what type of information is included and complete and attach a reporting form if required Smoky Vehicle Report Form (PDF) / Smoky Vehicle Report Form (Word).
If you want to report a smoky or suspect vehicle you will need to give some basic information:
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