LDV gasses up the Como
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by Peter Lawton LDV is set to offer an after-market LPG conversion for the Convoy in the company's first move towards alternative fuels.
The West Midlands manufacturer has yet to decide who will fit the conversion on its vans but it is known to be looking at two companies, one of which is lickford.
However, rumours that LDY is losing fleet orders because it is unable to offer alternatively fuelled vehicles are put into perspective by the company.
Spokesman Ian Strachan says LDV hasn't lost any orders, but adds: "Certainly there is demand in the market-place, particularly from local authorities. So yes. it's something that we are looking at very seriously, and we will have conversions shortly."
Although the conversion will definitely be offered under full warranty conditions. exact dates of availability and prices have yet to be confirmed. This project marks the first flirtation with alternative fuel by LDV but Strachan hints that more is to come, in all sorts of areas.
The Royal Mail, a major LDV customer, is busy concluding LPG hi-fuel trials with Ford and, despite reports of unconvincing results, it is committed to replacing some ageing vehicles with alternative-fuel versions. Royal Mail spokesman David Simpson says the results of the tests were generally positive; he confirms that LPG will play a part in its future thinking, "The trial showed that a properly maintained and tuned engine running on LPG is undoubtedly cleaner," he adds.
Jonathan Murray, manager of the Government green-vehicle funding programme Powershift, says any disappointing results from the trial could be down to old technology or poor engineering. "The fact is that LPG is a cleaner fuel," he says. "but you get out what you put in. "ft you use poor technology you get poor results."