A LOCAL authority is doubling the number of vehicles it runs on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in an effort to further reduce pollution.
The five new Vauxhall Combo vans delivered to Richmondshire District Council represent the latest phase of a project that aims to replace the authority's entire collection of 60 vehicles during the next few years.
LPG gives off 80 per cent less carbon dioxide and 35 per cent less carbon monoxide than unleaded petrol and 90 per cent less harmful particles than diesel. The council's contracting service manager Mike Slee said the environmentally-friendly vehicles also offered financial advantages.
"We introduced six LPG vans last November and statistics show them to be approximately 25 per cent more cost-effective than equivalent diesel vehicles," he said.
The vans will be used for the mobile warden service and the environment unit and are fitted with reinforced in-built gas tanks to meet tough safety regulations.
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