A chara, - I am a motorist who has been using liquid petroleum gas for over 20 years. For the past three years I have noticed that the number of petrol stations stocking this fuel has been falling. At least one important town has now no supplier. The main dealer for the most popular gas conversion kit recently told me that the number of kits being installed has fallen significantly. Many petrol stations have told me: "You are the first customer for gas we have had today."
All of this is extremely regrettable and strange, given the preoccupation we now have with pollution and the enormous increase in car numbers. It is even stranger when one recalls the national campaign a few years ago to promote the use of unleaded petrol. Even after getting the lead out, petrol still causes serious pollution in our towns and cities. LPG is at least 70 per cent cleaner than unleaded petrol, and some would say there is no pollution from it. The Government did something to promote LPG when it reduced its tax take. It is now, in some circumstances, as cheap or cheaper than diesel. After 20 years of use I can testify that my engine life is longer and my maintenance costs lower through using LPG.
There may be commercial reasons for allowing the use of LPG to die out. I have no doubt that the trend will not be reversed unless a serious promotion campaign is launched. I am very surprised that our environmental organisations have not taken up the cause. - Is mise,
Bre, Co Chill Mhantain