Fuels

With an average price of 58p per litre, LPG is half the price of petrol (119p per litre) and about 40 per cent the cost of diesel (132p per litre). In addition, certain LPG vehicles will now continue to be exempt from the London Congestion charge.

Volkswagen and Daimler AG have each acquired a minority shareholding in CHOREN Industries. The main goal of the commitment by the two companies is the widespread market introduction of BTL (biomass to liquid), a climate-friendly second-generation synthetic fuel.

A little-known yet long established industry in commercial algae farming is coming to the rescue of the increasing controversy surrounding biodiesel. Unlike crops such as soy, palm, corn and rapeseed, many strains of micro-algae contain as much as 70% oil - up to 25 times more than oil seed rape.

Volvo is adding two new engines and models to its FlexiFuel bioethanol range. To power the all-new Volvo V70 estate and the new Volvo S80 executive saloon, a two-litre FlexiFuel unit will arrive later this year and will be joined by a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine in 2008.

Should natural gas, in particular Bio Methane generated from vegetable and animal waste matter, be viewed as a viable road transport fuel option? Natural gas has low emissions and can reduce fuel costs at the same time

Ford has announced that it is to more than double the number of flex fuel models offered in Europe in 2008. Ford currently offers the Focus and C-Max with a Flex Fuel option in 11 European countries including the UK.