VAUXHALL is planning to create the largest single network of alternative fuel refilling stations in the country with pumps at specialist fleet dealers in a radical move to help conquer the lack of infrastructure which is stifling growth of the 'green' vehicle market. In a partnership with fuel suppliers including Calor Autogas, 120 Vauxhall dealer sites have been pinpointed throughout the country which can volunteer to stock gas equipment on forecourts.

The move comes as Vauxhall plans to launch the latest model in its growing range of alternative fuel vehicles, the Zafira LPG, which will be unveiled at the London Motor Show in October. Vauxhall's launch throws down the gauntlet to fuel companies which are failing to follow up brave words on providing nationwide networks of filling sites with action, according to Malcolm Noyle, manager of alternative fuel vehicles for Vauxhall.

He said: 'Fuel companies are big on words and we have heard about what they are going to do and there has been forecourt expansion, but it is not enough. They must stop using words and take action. Now is the time to build infrastructure. Vauxhall has made the commitment to alternative fuel vehicles, so has Ford and other manufacturers have come to the party, but we can't do it by ourselves.'

At present there are more than 217 alternative fuel filling sites for vehicles, but a tiny minority are forecourts. And although Vauxhall could create up to 120 sites, it is still dwarfed by the 14,000 conventional fuel sites in the UK. However, the manufacturer is determined to take action as sales of its alternative fuel range rocket. In the whole of 1998, there were an estimated 400 sales, but this year there will be an estimated 1,500. Above ground tanks could be delivered quickly to any dealership that volunteers to provide supplies, with the first expected to come on stream by October or November.