Autogas backs Clean Air Day

Autogas Limited, the supplier of automotive LPG, is to participate in this year’s Clean Air Day on 21 June, in a bid to help improve public understanding of air pollution.

Co-ordinated by Global Action Plan, the campaign aims to build awareness about how air quality affects health, especially in young children and those with heart and lung problems. It is estimated that poor air quality is responsible for as many as 40,000 premature deaths per year in the UK.

Picture credit: paulbox©

Holly Jago, general manager Autogas Limited, said: “Poor air quality is a huge problem in the UK and something that we’ve been working to address for many years now via the adoption of LPG in taxis, cars and vans alike.

“Clean Air Day is a fantastic initiative and one that we’re delighted to support by helping to spread the campaign messages. There are so many easy ways that people can get involved such as walking rather than driving, car sharing or simply switching off your engine when idling. As well as promoting heavily through our social media channels, we’ll be encouraging all of our staff, suppliers, business partners and customers to join us in this day of action.”

Autogas has been a long-term advocate of improving air quality in the UK and is involved in a number of key projects around the UK to help reduce harmful vehicle emissions.

Taxi trial

Last year, it successfully completed a £500,000 DfT-funded pilot scheme with Birmingham city council to repower 65 diesel powered taxis in the city to run on LPG.

Independent testing found the repowered LPG taxis emitted 99% less particulate matter, 80% less NOx and 7% less CO2. The company is now in discussions with a number of other local authorities to introduce similar schemes, especially in areas which are identified as suffering from poor air quality.

Larissa Lockwood, head of health at Global Action Plan, said, “Taking collective action to tackle air pollution every day can make a massive difference. Let’s take action together on Clean Air Day, 21 June, to make a real difference to the air we breathe. Clean Air Day has developed a range of advice, top tips, and information on the actions that everyone can take to protect themselves from pollution and reduce their impact.”

As part of its participation in Clean Air Day, Autogas will be utilising its social media channels to amplify the campaign’s reach as well using a host of campaign resources to spread the message further.