FLEETS intending to convert to alternative fuels have been urged not to dismiss natural gas, despite the market being dominated by liquefied petroleum gas vehicles. The call has been made by the Natural Gas Vehicle Association, which organised a pre-Budget briefing at Westminster to press its case for more tax concessions for alternative fuels.

The NGV car parc measures approximately 800 vehicles compared to 3,500 for LPG. Oil companies are also promising to open hundreds of LPG refuelling sites, but have paid little attention to CNG refuelling. David Burnicle, chairman of the NGVA, said: 'Britain's NGV market is not taking off as it should.'

Fred Parker, the association's executive director, said NGV vehicles were a wise choice for 'green-minded' fleets. Tests carried out this year on a Vauxhall Combo 1.4-litre CNG/ petrol conversion and a 1.7-litre Combo diesel at Millbrook Proving Ground for the association showed that CNG beats LPG, diesel and petrol for its overall reduction in emissions.