Pictured: Jem Aldridge, Autogas General Manager and Sajid Javid MP 

Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) race ace, Tom Onslow-Cole, joined Autogas last weekend as it celebrated the availability of automotive LPG at Hopwood Services.   

Representatives from Autogas, the UK's leading Liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG) supplier, met with members of the public to explain the cost and environmental benefits of switching to LPG and both the local MP and racing driver pledged their support for what is the third most popular fuel on the UK's roads today.

Sajid Javid MP for Bromsgrove commented: "I was delighted to open the first LPG refuelling station at Hopwood Park Services on the M42.  Not only is LPG better for the environment than petrol or diesel, but it is also less expensive per litre, which is good news given that many people are feeling the pinch from rising fuel prices."

Tom Onslow-Cole, who raced in an LPG fuelled Ford Focus in the BTCC 2010 season, has recently had his own Range Rover Sport converted to run on LPG. He said: "The different in cost is dramatic when filling up with LPG instead of petrol.

"Anyone looking to own and run a powerful or sport car should definitely look to have it converted to LPG as it makes it much more affordable."

Commenting on the event Autogas general manager, Jem Aldridge, says "Fuel prices are hot on the agenda at the moment and motorists are looking for ways to save money on their fuel and motoring costs.

"Every penny counts and Autogas LPG offers a significant saving without the compromises and anxiety associated with other 'alternative' fuel types. In fact, it can help motorists cut fuel costs by up to 40 per cent.

"At a time of ever increasing petrol and diesel prices, LPG cannot be ignored as an alternative. It currently retails at an average price of 73.9 pence per litre, compared to 133.7 ppl for petrol and 140.9 ppl for diesel*."

Liquefied Petroleum Gas, or LPG, has an established and easily accessible refuelling network and is available from 1,400 public refuelling points up and down the country including eight sites in the West Midlands; with the majority of Autogas Limited LPG refuelling sites being located on Shell forecourts on motorways and major trunk roads, allowing drivers to benefit from all the normal forecourt facilities including fuel card payments.

Jem Aldridge adds: "What drivers really like is the fact that it's the same as driving a petrol car with no compromise on vehicle range and performance. With over 10% of UK forecourts now retailing autogas drivers don't have to go out of their way to refuel. In fact to make life easier we provide a free to download satnav site locator on our website.''

* Prices taken from www.petrolprices.com, 15 November 2011