THE Government must take steps to encourage fuel suppliers to set up more widespread liquefied petroleum gas refuelling networks, according to Lease Plan managing director designate Howard Thomas. He is calling for the Government to give fuel suppliers fiscal incentives to add new refuelling stations around the country - or risk LPG never truly taking off.

'If the Government wants the fleet industry and private motorists to seriously consider LPG, then it must inject additional resources into refuelling stations, as well as a big reduction in duty or incentives to help cover conversion costs,' he said. 'Although fuel suppliers will arrange on-site storage of LPG, this is not going to be convenient to company car drivers who are refuelling at regular intervals, and in all parts of the country.'

He said the lack of refuelling infrastructure not only deterred fleet operators from moving over to LPG now, but - if the situation remained unchanged - would also deter used car buyers from buying LPG vehicles in the future.