Ashwoods LPG vans

Car drivers who want to go green can buy electric, hybrid or biofuel-powered vehicles straight from the manufacturers, but van drivers have no such off-the-shelf option – which is why Ashwoods of Fulham in London (ashwoods.org) converts commercial vans to run on liquefied petroleum gas. LPG is a byproduct of the oil and gas industry and is both a cheaper and a more efficient energy source than petrol or diesel.Ashwoods claims that its LPG vans achieve fuel cost savings of about 40%. Such vans are also exempt from London’s congestion charge, which could save a company up to £2,000 a year on each vehicle. A converted Ford Transit would cost £14,555, or 20% less than the list price. LPG is on sale at more than 1,200 refuelling stations around the country.Ashwoods is also developing a hybrid drive, which it believes will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 14%. The drive will come in two parts – a system that recovers energy lost during braking plus an electric engine – and can be fitted in less than three hours to many popular van models. The company hopes to start offering the conversion kit at a cost of about £3,000 later this year.greenideas@sunday-times.co.uk