28.3.2002
New Combo gets Dualfuel range

The new Combo van has reached "green fleet" status with the first deliveries of the model's Dualfuel range. The new Combo has the lowest running costs for any Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) on Britain's roads, at just 8.23 pence (0.13 euro) per mile over 90,000 miles/three years, according to CAP Monitor, an independent benchmark guide.

According to the CAP Monitor, an independent benchmark guide to future commercial vehicle values, the new Combo Van has the lowest running costs for any Light Commercial Vehicle in the U.K., costing just 0.13 euro per mile over 90,000 miles/three years. With the addition of the 1.6 8v Euro 4-compliant LPG/petrol Dualfuel engine, the CAP accolade is certain to stay firmly with the van.

A vehicle developed, engineered and calibrated to run on LPG produces lower emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in comparison with petrol powered vehicles, as well as lower levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions when compared to diesel engines.

Unique among dualfuel models, the Combo no longer needs petrol to start the engine in normal temperatures, namely those between 15 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 to 16 degrees Celsius). At other temperatures, the Combo fires up on petrol before switching automatically to gas, assuming the driver has selected gas power. Emission control is improved, too, with the fitting of gas sequential injection, GSI.

Ian Blinder, Vauxhall alternative fuels manager, says, "The environmental benefit of LPG is becoming better known daily, as we see in the level of interest from potential customers. The gas start-up lowers harmful emission figures even further."

New Combo Dualfuel's on the road price (excl. VAT) is £10,960 (17,900 euro), £1660 (2,700 euro) more than the petrol version.

However, a TransportAction PowerShift grant, offered by the Energy Saving Trust, will help reduce the cost to vehicle owners of converting their vehicles to LPG. It is expected that the Transport Department grant will reduce the outlay by 60%. The remaining costs of conversion will be quickly recouped through the substantially cheaper cost of LPG. In addition, the Dualfuel van will be exempt from the daily £5 (9 euro) London congestion charge set to come into force next year.

The lower price relative to petrol or diesel means it is possible to travel more than 50 percent further in a New Combo Dualfuel model using LPG for the same fuel cost. With more than 1,000 LPG outlets a driver is never far from a refuelling site.

The typical range in gas mode is 315 miles, in addition to the range from the van's 11.4 gallon petrol tank. That adds up to a loof non-stop miles!