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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: zirk on 23 November 2020, 16:33:53

Title: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: zirk on 23 November 2020, 16:33:53
All 4 of my Local Shell LPG Station have stopped selling Autogas, thought it might be a local thing untill I searched it, No, Shell have ripped them all out Nationally, so that's that then  >:(

That only really leaves Sainsbury's and Morrisons left now as major sellers, possibly BP if the price is right and you can find one.

If Sainsbury's or Morries decide to follow Shells route, could be a Game Changer in the near future.

Is the end of LPG on the cards so soon. ?  :-\
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 23 November 2020, 17:04:44
That doesn't bode well... The next barge might have been an lpg contender :-\

Do you have space to have a tank installed?
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 23 November 2020, 17:25:12
Yes, all the Shell ones went here in the Spring/Summer, and BP about 5 years ago.

Countrywide/Flowgas have stated they aren't repairing failed sites either.

Hence TBE has to go...   ...although the sniffle meant it hung around long enough to need to be MOT'd and insured.


Our nearest LPG filling station is now 25 miles away
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 23 November 2020, 17:29:35
Shame as I have my eye on a nice looking 4.2ltr supercharged V8 Range Rover with an LPG kit.  ::)  :-\
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 23 November 2020, 17:33:14
Shame as I have my eye on a nice looking 4.2ltr supercharged V8 Range Rover with an LPG kit.  ::)  :-\
Unless you can afford to run it on petrol, I'd give it a wide berth.


With Shell, BP and Countrywide/Flogas out of the picture, that leaves next to none for day to day filling.  The supermarkets will follow suit quickly not methinks.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 23 November 2020, 17:45:14
Shame as I have my eye on a nice looking 4.2ltr supercharged V8 Range Rover with an LPG kit.  ::)  :-\
Unless you can afford to run it on petrol, I'd give it a wide berth.


With Shell, BP and Countrywide/Flogas out of the picture, that leaves next to none for day to day filling.  The supermarkets will follow suit quickly not methinks.

Yes seems that way TB...  :(

There's a couple of indy garages around here that sell it, but if the big players are pulling out I'd imagine they'll follow soonish...  :-\
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: zirk on 23 November 2020, 18:15:45
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, or my expectations of LPG being around about the same period as petrol and diesel before we're all forced down the electric route was an oversight. As we know, LPG is a by-product of oil, so as long as there's sucking oil up for petrol and diesel use there will be plenty of LPG, Propane and Butane kicking around, in fact there be so much of All of the stuff floating around they won't be able to give it away in a few years time. Is it really down for market demand at the moment?

According to Shell, the decision to pull the plug was down to cost of maintenance of the pumps vs market demand, or have they just got their pumps in the wrong places and not been looking at the trends over the years, all I know is around here or if I venture into East London for Fill Ups I am almost certainly queuing for my turn for the LPG pump.

Morrisons worry me, as most of their pumps are quite old and always breaking down or going out service, so they could be the next victim to fall, Sainsbury's have fitted fairly new pumps recently so hopefully they will want to see a return on their investment but who knows.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 23 November 2020, 18:31:11
According to Shell, the decision to pull the plug was down to cost of maintenance of the pumps vs market demand
Shell's head office told us it was to make way for newer forms of low emissions options, which I took to mean chargers.  Not that I imagine they will be allowed to fit chargers so close to petrol vapours....


I suspect demand has dropped, as does anyone make a dual fuel car now, as hybrids probably fill that gap now.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Nick W on 23 November 2020, 18:31:44
Consider this for the availability of LPG: how many people do you know with LPG cars that aren't on this forum? How many cars were sold new as LPG? The old V8 RR Classics and Discoveries plus the other old barges that were a big part of the market are largely gone.


So the market for LPG has dried up and the retailers have better uses for the money to keep the supply going.


Just be glad you didn't 'invest' in a hydrogen powered car......
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 23 November 2020, 18:32:02
We have a new Saino's petrol station opening on Wednesday.  Doesn't look like they have fitted any LPG pumps :(
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 23 November 2020, 19:18:00
The trouble is that LPG never really caught on and became mainstream... sadly!  :(

Friends still refer to my Omega as That old Vauxhall you had that ran on calor gas, chip fat or some oppsin weird shit...  ::)           Bastards!  ;D
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: zirk on 23 November 2020, 23:50:46
Consider this for the availability of LPG: how many people do you know with LPG cars that aren't on this forum? How many cars were sold new as LPG? The old V8 RR Classics and Discoveries plus the other old barges that were a big part of the market are largely gone.


So the market for LPG has dried up and the retailers have better uses for the money to keep the supply going.


Just be glad you didn't 'invest' in a hydrogen powered car......
Whilst I don't disagree, my understanding is that the development of BioLPG was supposed to be the New Kid on the Block in terms of us reaching our Green requirements in the future.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 24 November 2020, 00:00:57
It was - about 25 years ago. Promotion of any kind of fossil fuel is now completely taboo.
We have "progressed" you see.  ::)
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: B52 on 24 November 2020, 00:05:13
LPG conversion was being touted as a serious option for diesel taxis, particularly in the West Midlands. Some Edinburgh owners took it up and are now struggling to find suppliers after Shell pulled the plug.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: zirk on 24 November 2020, 01:03:45
It was - about 25 years ago. Promotion of any kind of fossil fuel is now completely taboo.
We have "progressed" you see.  ::)
Yea but BioLPG. It’s renewable and sustainable, supposedly.  :-\

Calor Gas reckon about 2p a Litre more to produce the stuff and by 20XX, can't remember the exact date now, All Butane / Propane will be 100% Bio, it's making big noises in the Alternative Heating over Electric apperantly.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: biggriffin on 24 November 2020, 08:20:20
She'll are replacing gas with the new green fuel which is charging points.

I can see electric  cars being the next beta-max :D
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Rangie on 24 November 2020, 09:23:00
Never seen the attraction of LPG , buy a large engined vehicle expect large running costs simple, budget accordingly otherwise don't buy one.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: biggriffin on 24 November 2020, 09:29:22
There's going to be a few big engine cars with log fitted, for sale me thinks, see a lot of yankee V8 pick-ups with gas.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 November 2020, 09:54:14
Never seen the attraction of LPG , buy a large engined vehicle expect large running costs simple, budget accordingly otherwise don't buy one.

Running my 2.5V6 Omega for Ford Fiesta money was a no brainer for me.  :y

Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 November 2020, 09:58:05
She'll are replacing gas with the new green fuel which is charging points.

I can see electric  cars being the next beta-max :D

I don't, battery based ones maybe, but not electric  :y
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Raeturbo on 24 November 2020, 11:36:15
Never seen the attraction of LPG , buy a large engined vehicle expect large running costs simple, budget accordingly otherwise don't buy one.

               Nonsense, I enjoy running my 3.2 on lpg saves me a fortune.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Nick W on 24 November 2020, 11:46:28
Never seen the attraction of LPG , buy a large engined vehicle expect large running costs simple, budget accordingly otherwise don't buy one.

               Nonsense, I enjoy running my 3.2 on lpg saves me a fortune.


Once you've done the necessary mileage to pay for the installation and maintenance.


A car that can achieve 25mpg in ordinary use needs to do a lot of miles for the numbers to work. Converting Range Rovers was common because their economy was much worse, the installation cost was a fraction of the vehicle's value(spending £1k on LPG on a £1500 car needs to be looked at very carefully) and there was plenty of dead space for the tanks.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: B52 on 24 November 2020, 12:25:40
True ^ but LPG also enables some older vehicles (which are still perfectly serviceable) to meet emission rules which they can't on their original engines. Purpose-built cabs in particular are very expensive new.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2020, 17:25:42
Never seen the attraction of LPG , buy a large engined vehicle expect large running costs simple, budget accordingly otherwise don't buy one.

               Nonsense, I enjoy running my 3.2 on lpg saves me a fortune.


Once you've done the necessary mileage to pay for the installation and maintenance.


A car that can achieve 25mpg in ordinary use needs to do a lot of miles for the numbers to work. Converting Range Rovers was common because their economy was much worse, the installation cost was a fraction of the vehicle's value(spending £1k on LPG on a £1500 car needs to be looked at very carefully) and there was plenty of dead space for the tanks.
When a load of us were doing it here, the payback for a DIY install was about 7k, so 6-9 months for most people.  If you pay for fitting, this would be about double
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Raeturbo on 24 November 2020, 17:28:02
Luckily mine was already fitted when I bought it 8)
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 24 November 2020, 18:12:32
At the end of the day, none of the suppliers are going to invest any more money into infrastructure for a small scale usage fuel for internal combustion engines, which are in the process of disappearing for ever anyway.
It just wouldnt make sense for them to do so.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 24 November 2020, 18:25:04
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2020, 18:29:19
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...
Most people can't though.  The rules for tanks are quite strict, hence many people in built up areas without access to gas have to heat by electric or oil.
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 November 2020, 18:33:21
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...
Most people can't though.  The rules for tanks are quite strict, hence many people in built up areas without access to gas have to heat by electric or oil.

.. and those who don't want to be rodgered by Calor for the rest of their days too... ;)
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2020, 18:39:25
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...
Most people can't though.  The rules for tanks are quite strict, hence many people in built up areas without access to gas have to heat by electric or oil.

.. and those who don't want to be rodgered by Calor for the rest of their days too... ;)
You will always be rodgered. Accept it, live with it, get over it, move on ;D

My mum has to heat by a fikcin enormous great big 3 phase electric boiler. Hence, EDF/SSE/EON/whoever thoroughly rogers her on a monthly basis.

Little bro, in the same village, goes for oil instead.  Whilst he has an enormous tank in order to buy in the cheaper summer months, it still needs a splash and dash in the winter, so he gets rogered by Gulf.

I see I'm paying £185 a month, so whichever bunch of knob jockeys I'm with this year is rogering me.


Bastids ;D
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: YZ250 on 24 November 2020, 18:41:13
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...
Most people can't though.  The rules for tanks are quite strict, hence many people in built up areas without access to gas have to heat by electric or oil.

I saw first hand the damage you did with a little gas cylinder ........ imagine the fun you could have with a big tank of the stuff behind your garage.   :o ;D

Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: TheBoy on 24 November 2020, 21:25:55
LPG is still an actual fuel, so should remain reasonably available if you can store it.

https://www.flogas.co.uk/home/above-ground-tanks

Or http://go-lpg.co.uk/Own_Tank.html

For example...

Most people can't though.  The rules for tanks are quite strict, hence many people in built up areas without access to gas have to heat by electric or oil.

I saw first hand the damage you did with a little gas cylinder ........ imagine the fun you could have with a big tank of the stuff behind your garage.   :o ;D
Nobody in Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire would be safe ;D
Title: Re: LPG at Shell Forecourts (Autogas)
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 24 November 2020, 21:59:49
Im nearly 100 miles away, and I think I would lose sleep over it.  ;D