FORD will launch its first factory produced bi-fuel petrol/liquefied petroleum gas fuelled cars in the UK at the end of this year after the successful introduction of alternative fuels to its van range. The Ford Mondeo and Focus will be the first models to be converted in-house to run on LPG.

The manufacturer is contacting fleets to gauge interest - no final decision has been made on the number of units to be produced. Alternatively-fuelled Fords have been available as aftermarket conversions, provided by Tickford, for several years, but this year the manufacturer began the roll-out of in-house models, offering a challenge to the alternative fuel range created by Vauxhall. The first in-house alternatively-fueled Ford was a Transit powered by compressed natural gas, launched this year, followed by an LPG model. However, only LPG conversions are likely to be offered for cars.