Is LPG being phased out?

[LeahRose]

Hi all

Thanks for the heads up about the very disappointing news that Calor is discontinuing the 3.9kg & 4.5kg bottles, having finally managed to get hold of 2 for my Ducato Expedition 66.

So now I need to find an alternative asap. The gas locker is too small for a 6kg bottle and as the van is less than a year old I really don’t want to start modifying anything inside.

Having done some more searching on my, go to ‘font of all motorhoming knowledge’ aka Motorhome Funsters forum (you have no idea how much I have learnt from you guys ) I found a thread about underslung LPG tanks and although expensive it looks like it might be the best option for my van. I’ve since emailed and chatted to the guys at Autogas they sound great, thanks again for the recommendation.

I’ve also however read that LPG is due to be phased out at filling stations in 2024. I was wondering if any of you guys know if that means it will be phased out completely or will we still be able to fill tanks? Obviously I don’t want to spend all that money if I’m unable to use it in 2 years.

I’d be really grateful for any advice. Thanks

 

[Verteuil Man]

What's the difference between a refillable gas bottle like gaslow compared to a normal calor bottle. Both connect to a bulkhead regulator and both should be tested for leaks. I would say a refillable system is safer as once fitted and tested you are not continually undoing pipes to change bottles, an underslung tank maybe different .

As far as connections go, nothing. The same regulators fit.nThe refillable ones you own that's why you can refill them. Calor, Flogas etc cylinders are their property and for you to refill them is against the regs.

Size wise take your choice. Personally I have always favoured Flogas because it was who I dealt with at work. Calor are shisters.

 

[Purple2]

It may have been mentioned but if you are a Eurotraveller you may find it difficult to travel through the tunnel with underslung tank.

 

[TonyEmm]

Autogas is definitely getting harder to find in the UK as filling stations remove the dispensers due to lack of mainstream demand. When was the last time you saw a car fill up with LPG here?

It's becoming a niche product for motorhomes, so hopefully more motorhome dealers and campsites will install pumps to meet our demand.

However, on the continent Autogas is still very easy to get hold of. Recently in France and Spain I had to wait several times for a car to fill up before I could fill myself. Renault and Dacia in particular seem to have really pushed into the LPG car market.

I filled my Safefill at Morrisons,Wisbech last week and there was a pickup truck on the opposite pump filling his tank!

 

[2x2camper]

It may have been mentioned but if you are a Eurotraveller you may find it difficult to travel through the tunnel with underslung tank.

Not true. Only lpg powered vehicles are banned in the tunnel.

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[Nanniemate]

It may have been mentioned but if you are a Eurotraveller you may find it difficult to travel through the tunnel with underslung tank.

that would have stopped thousands of trips to date

I think it’s terrifying that anyone can just have a go at installing their own gas system. I know the people on here would only do it if they thought they could or would ask the many knowledgeable people on here. We could be parked up next to some muppet who just thought they’d have a go to save a few quid after watching a few YouTube videos. Not everyone has commonsense.

I think I’m a bit paranoid at the moment as we’re having building work done and our builder is also the local volunteer Fire Chief so has been called out to DIY disasters and cowboy builder disasters .

Yes you are paranoid I suggest you see a doctor when ever we talk about work we are all choosy about the stories well tell , horror stories are always more interesting to tell/entertaining to listen to.

I think some people can be dangerous with a tea towel and an open gas flame , dont ask how I know,

 

[MichaelT]

Not true. Only lpg powered vehicles are banned in the tunnel.

Not true, if you have a large tank no more than 50kg allowed Eurotunnel

 

[Verteuil Man]

This may be helpful

 

[Roger J Holman]

When I was working as a Boat Repairer, we were frequently asked to install new/replacement gas cookers. We always accepted. I did not have, and neither did my staff have, a Gas Safety Certificate, but with a good degree of common sense, and an understanding of the basic principles and potential problems, we never had any problems. BUT, the job was never finished until the installation had been checked by a registered CORGI operator.

Gas in boats is almost universal for cooking, and even some heating. The enormous problem/danger is that a boat acts like a big bucket, any leaks and the gas, being heavier than air, drops to the bilges, and builds up a little mixture with the available air, and just waits until a stray spark from a dodgy electrical connection .................. There are no second chances with LPG.

At least in the average MOHO any leaks will go out the door.

 

[Just smiffy]

It may have been mentioned but if you are a Eurotraveller you may find it difficult to travel through the tunnel with underslung tank.

Why…?

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[diddydave]

I went to the Total energies station just out of St Malo last week, and I had to prove it was for propulsion and not for cooking! There was a sticker on the pump which read prohibited to fill gas bottles! The woman there told me there had been an explosion so would not allow lpg for cooking. Been to other Total energies on the way down and all ok.

 

[busbuddy]

I think it’s terrifying that anyone can just have a go at installing their own gas system. I know the people on here would only do it if they thought they could or would ask the many knowledgeable people on here. We could be parked up next to some muppet who just thought they’d have a go to save a few quid after watching a few YouTube videos. Not everyone has commonsense.

I wouldnt worry about it, it's the guy parked the other side who is the problem....the one with solar panels stuck on with no more nails, batteries connected with speaker wire, a 6000w chinese inverter made of cheese and a log burner in the lounge

 

[TonyEmm]

I went to the Total energies station just out of St Malo last week, and I had to prove it was for propulsion and not for cooking! There was a sticker on the pump which read prohibited to fill gas bottles! The woman there told me there had been an explosion so would not allow lpg for cooking. Been to other Total energies on the way down and all ok.

I guess they get jobsworths in France too! .
Nothing to do with LPG but I was a filling a 5lt petrol can (for my lawnmower) when the pump switched off. This madwoman came charging out of Sainsbury’s fuel kiosk screaming at me…. Apparently, it had to be on the ground, not on the sidestep of my van!

 

[Stealaway]

I went to the Total energies station just out of St Malo last week, and I had to prove it was for propulsion and not for cooking! There was a sticker on the pump which read prohibited to fill gas bottles! The woman there told me there had been an explosion so would not allow lpg for cooking. Been to other Total energies on the way down and all ok.

Total stations banned all motorhomes LPG refills a few years ago, I m surprised you even bothered, there are loads of alternatives in France.

 

[Nanniemate]

I wouldnt worry about it, it's the guy parked the other side who is the problem....the one with solar panels stuck on with no more nails, batteries connected with speaker wire, a 6000w chinese inverter made of cheese and a log burner in the lounge

Have you seen my van then ?

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[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Sorry if it has been mentioned in another post. " Dacia " are fitting LPG-GPL systems to their petrol cars. DON'T know if this is a standard fit. SIL has a Duster on order that is coming with it fitted,talking to a portuguese friend up in the village and his mid sized car in the yard has it fitted.
What do they know about the future of LPG-GPL systems. ?
Tea Bag

 

[Barti Ddu]

Total stations banned all motorhomes LPG refills a few years ago, I m surprised you even bothered, there are loads of alternatives in France.

Yes. But I've never been refused LPG at a French Total site. (Gallic Shrug emoji required).

 

[Minxy]

So anyone doing their own gas work even on their own leisure vehicle still has to complete any work to recognised standards using the correct components.

Agreed, I watched carefully when we had our first refillable bottle installed (foc) back in 2009 and ensured I knew what needed doing etc when moving it to other MHs with new parts as required. If I was in any doubt as to my ability to do it I wouldn't touch it.

Unfortunately on our current holiday I've seen myself the bodge which someone had done to get by using their spare bottle when they had an issue with their main bottle, it was a lethal accident waiting to happen! I sorted out the issue with their main bottle so they could go back to using it as intend (much safer) which was good as they were parked near us!!!

 

[Lenny HB]

Have you seen my van then ?

Yes.

 

[Dickie0121]

Just had Autogas 2000 fit an underslung tank to.my Motorhome. Think it's unlikely to phased out as many van are fitted with tanks as standard. Petrol station will no doubt stop selling it but other suppliers will take up supplying LPG including some campsites no doubt.

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[spudder56]

Just had Autogas 2000 fit an underslung tank to.my Motorhome. Think it's unlikely to phased out as many van are fitted with tanks as standard. Petrol station will no doubt stop selling it but other suppliers will take up supplying LPG including some campsites no doubt.

Yes and some car washes have lpg pumps now also quite a few specialist lpg sites are springing up

 

[spudder56]

Hi all

Thanks for the heads up about the very disappointing news that Calor is discontinuing the 3.9kg & 4.5kg bottles, having finally managed to get hold of 2 for my Ducato Expedition 66.

So now I need to find an alternative asap. The gas locker is too small for a 6kg bottle and as the van is less than a year old I really don’t want to start modifying anything inside.

Having done some more searching on my, go to ‘font of all motorhoming knowledge’ aka Motorhome Funsters forum (you have no idea how much I have learnt from you guys ) I found a thread about underslung LPG tanks and although expensive it looks like it might be the best option for my van. I’ve since emailed and chatted to the guys at Autogas they sound great, thanks again for the recommendation.

I’ve also however read that LPG is due to be phased out at filling stations in 2024. I was wondering if any of you guys know if that means it will be phased out completely or will we still be able to fill tanks? Obviously I don’t want to spend all that money if I’m unable to use it in 2 years.

I’d be really grateful for any advice. Thanks

There are a couple of car washes in the West Midlands that now have lpg pumps as well as a couple of specialist lpg suppliers but yes it is getting difficult to get on garage forcourts etc but hopefully more campsites and Motorhome dealers will see the opportunity and get pumps

 

[Basildog]

There are a couple of car washes in the West Midlands that now have lpg pumps as well as a couple of specialist lpg suppliers but yes it is getting difficult to get on garage forcourts etc but hopefully more campsites and Motorhome dealers will see the opportunity and get pumps

LPG pump’s definitely aren’t going to disappear that’s for certain but as I have said before the market is changing towards smaller suppliers and Leisure businesses.
The big problem is that some people as has been mentioned by others before are obsessed with the price , fact is as a small supplier we can’t compete with the supermarkets etc .
When you are selling to automotive customers for propulsion the quantities are much greater , the leisure market is tiny in volume by comparison and extremely seasonal, so as we are seeing prices will have to increase as in truth ,it probably actually costs us money to supply LPG ,but it’s a necessary part of the business.

 

[Northernraider]

It’s cost me £305 for one 11kg plus ancillary hoses and filler cap, given an 11kg is now £44 to exchange with Flogas, I think I will soon recoup the cost as well as the added convenience.

Jees that's gone up. When I fitted 2x11kg bottles in my frankia the full kit including all hoses, filler etc and 24hr delivery was £344

 

[headlight]

I have just priced up a complete 2x6kg refillable kit and prices started at the best part of £500 for Gasit and over £600 for Gaslow.

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[Nanniemate]

I have just priced up a complete 2x6kg refillable kit and prices started at the best part of £500 for Gasit and over £600 for Gaslow.

Sounds about right

 

[headlight]

Sounds about right

Even at those prices to fit myself, which are a couple of hundred cheaper than getting it fitted by a company, due to my relatively low usage, it would take at least 3 years to recoup the cost at present LPG costs.

 

[Nanniemate]

Even at those prices to fit myself, which are a couple of hundred cheaper than getting it fitted by a company, due to my relatively low usage, it would take at least 3 years to recoup the cost at present LPG costs.

I threatened to get it fitted from when I bought the van but opted for solar if I had it would have paid for itself by now u put and exchange bottle in last week £28 for 3.9kg bought a spare bottle last year £40 .sadly I do not track how much it costs to run gas but can guarantee it will run out boxing day, or when I'm in the middle of nowhere spent at least £118 last year but to some people heavy use , water heating cooking when not on ehu which is most of the time and van used all year .

 

[Lenny HB]

Even at those prices to fit myself, which are a couple of hundred cheaper than getting it fitted by a company, due to my relatively low usage, it would take at least 3 years to recoup the cost at present LPG costs.

That is a pretty good return and as prices of LPG increase saving increase.

 

[headlight]

I threatened to get it fitted from when I bought the van but opted for solar if I had it would have paid for itself by now u put and exchange bottle in last week £28 for 3.9kg bought a spare bottle last year £40 .sadly I do not track how much it costs to run gas but can guarantee it will run out boxing day, or when I'm in the middle of nowhere spent at least £118 last year but to some people heavy use , water heating cooking when not on ehu which is most of the time and van used all year .

I used 6 x 6kg Calor bottles last year which cost about £200.
At present LPG costs it would have been about £70.
So I would have saved £130 for the year.
4 years to recoup if I went for the cheapest refillable system fitted myself.
I can see the advantage if you use a lot of gas or if you go abroad but for my low use in the UK I'm not sure it is warranted.

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[headlight]

That is a pretty good return and as prices of LPG increase saving increase.

I should have said at least 4 years.
5 years if I fitted a Gaslow system.
I think I'm going to see how much Calor I use this year.