What Car? Q&A - Can I still get grants for LPG?

Q: I am considering buying a used V8 Land Rover Discovery. As the fuel costs will be horrendous, I am toying with the idea of an LPG conversion. Are there still grants available for these conversions and what sort of impact might it have on resale values?
James Birstall

A: There are currently no grants available to motorists thinking about converting to Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The Government's Powershift Grant used to offer cash, but it collapsed in April 2005 because it was thought that it contravened European State Aid rules.

It was felt that LPG drivers already received enough tax assistance at the pumps, and that giving them more money at the conversion stage represented an unwarranted double bonus. As a result, sales of new cars than run on LPG plummeted – down from 3185 cars in 2003 to 489 last year.

Having an LPG conversion can affect your resale value – it depends on the quality of the system. A good quality system on your vehicle can reduce your fuel bills and could seduce potential buyers who have been scared off by 'gas guzzlers'.

Conversely, an unreliable system without certification will lower the value of your car.

Visit www.boostlpg.co.uk for details of conversions and workshops approved by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association.