Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot is surprised that low-cost LPG fuel isn't more popular in the UK, as British buyers are "meant to be super pragmatic".
Le Vot confirmed to Autocar that Dacia will continue to offer LPG options in its models - the only car maker to still do so out of the factory - and said it's at a loss to explain why the fuel isn't as popular in the UK as in other European markets.
The LPG pump network in Britain is only a quarter of what it was at its peak, in the 2000s, but still the fuel is typically a third cheaper per litre than petrol.
By the end of October, Dacia had sold just over 1000 Bi-Fuel versions of the Sandero and Duster, but sales are declining. Just under 4000 LPG models were sold in 2022 and around 2700 in 2023.
Le Vot said that in some markets, including Italy, LPG sales were around half of the model mix. Poland, Romania, France and Spain are other markets where LPG is still a big player.
In France, the value is "incredible", said Le Vot, as LPG is around half the cost per litre of petrol.
Offering LPG options in the UK brings no extra cost to Dacia, said Le Vot, as "the fact it exists makes it available".
While he said he could pull the Bi-Fuel option from the UK market, he said it "would be a mistake to do so".
More broadly on the UK market, Le Vot said that "pragmatism must prevail in the end" in light of the government's decision to review the ZEV mandate, which forces car makers to sell a set number of electric cars proportionate to their overall sales or face huge fines.
"In no way are we challenging the final destination," he said. "The final destination is zero emissions. We have to continue working, and we will, but I think that at the same time, we have to be pragmatic."
Le Vot confirmed an electric version of the Sandero was on track for a 2027 launch as part of that car's next generation, and that in time electric versions of the Jogger and Duster would follow as part of a phased approach to launching EVs.
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I pay 80p, yes 80p, per litre for LPG so my Sandero Stepway costs £2.00 per 100 miles and £2.50 for petrol.
My local garage is one of the cheapest in the country.
Yeah - it only works if it's cheaper and close by - people aren't going to travel out of their way for £1.50 saving over 300 miles
It's obvious why LPG has tailed off.
when I got my Sandeep bi-fuel is was less than 30p a litre so was effectively getting 120mpg in cost terms vs petrol.
Now lpg is brought over from the US on tankers it's now at least 99p per litre vs £1.30 for petrol. I found lpg provides 80% of the mpg of petrol so the cost benefit is now marginal.
On top of this there aren't many fuel stations that provide it meaning it's difficult to source.
More Nut Zero nonsense, means LPG, a relatively cleaner feul is not worth buying...
It's more because it was piped from Russia before which is which it was much cheaper.
i do think we have missed a trick here as it's a good interim solution as whilst the co2 benefit isn't much it produces little in the way of particulates which so great for city air quality.
taxis in Japan have run on lpg for many years due to this .
Go away, troll.
Indeed, there's lots more nut zero madness to come, yet.
My local garage charges 80p, yes 80p, per litre for LPG.
If that's the case then probably still worth doing