• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • COMMENT
  • Twitter

Sadiq Khan’s claims about LPG’s “limited” air quality benefits challenged by industry body

April 20, 2018 - Martin Hoscik@martinhoscik

A trade association representing makers and distributors of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) have written to Mayor Sadiq Khan challenging the accuracy of claims he made about the fuel’s clean air credentials.

At last month’s Mayor’s Question Time session, Mr Khan was asked to consider supporting the conversion of diesel powered taxis to LPG as a step towards delivering his pledge to clean up the capital’s air.

While accepting the converted vehicles would be less clean than a new zero emission Taxi, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon told the Mayor that conversion costs around £10,000 per vehicle, a charge far more affordable to the capital’s cabbies than the £60,000 cost of a new cab.

Urged to consider the impact of a trial of LPG converted cabs in Birmingham, Mr Khan said TfL and City Hall had already done so and “noticed carbon dioxide emissions increased significantly.”

He also claimed that “LPG offers some potential carbon dioxide savings over petrol, but limited air quality benefits.”

Following the session, trade body UKLPG wrote to the Mayor “to address your assertions regarding automotive LPG and to provide an accurate picture of its potential as an air quality solution for London.”

The body says despite assertions that the Birmingham trial resulted in higher CO2 emissions, “the project has been a huge success, resulting in significant NOx and particulate matters reductions, lower carbon emissions and very high driver satisfaction”.

UKLPG also highlights Government guidance that conversion to LPG “would allow taxi drivers to continue to operate without changes to their service.”

The advice, published last month by DEFRA, says: “This is particularly important for taxi drivers as they would be affected by any class of charging Clean Air Zone introduced. In addition, many taxi drivers are self-employed and so are likely to be impacted by local plans.”

The letter also challenges the Mayor’s claims that the fuel only has “limited air quality benefits,” saying: “In contrast to your assertion, LPG has significant air quality benefits and produces substantially lower well-to-wheel carbon emissions compared to diesel and petrol. It offers a cleaner alternative for taxi and van drivers whilst not compromising on London’s carbon objectives and your ambitions for a zero emission Capital.”

City Hall says it will respond to the letter shortly, but a spokesperson said: “Whilst the Mayor is supportive of any fuel that has a proven ability to reduce pollution, he is committed to delivering the greatest reductions in carbon emissions and air pollution by working towards a zero-emission transport network.

“This does not preclude the use of LPG fuel but research has so far shown it is a bridging fuel with limited air quality benefits that often requires a technically challenging and costly conversion of vehicles.”

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

Crossrail delayed until 2021 and bosses say project could go a further £650 million over budget

TfL uses WiFi data to improve Journey Planner’s accuracy

Mike Brown to leave TfL for new role overseeing Parliament’s renovation

Transport for London seeks views on new Bakerloo line extension plans




Popular

City Hall calls in Deloitte to boost BAME progression and close ethnicity pay gap

City Hall to review pay levels amid recruitment and staff retention concerns

TfL appoints ‘Build to Rent’ partner and promises to built 3,000 new rental homes across London

TfL confirms £1bn deal to sell and leaseback Elizabeth line trains

FEATURED

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

City Hall and TfL publish action plan to cut lorry and van deliveries in London

TfL planning return of annual fare hikes as agency looks to balance books following Crossrail delay

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2019 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.