HC Deb 24 June 1998 vol 314 c498W
Mr. Pike

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what percentage of road vehicles are currently powered by(a) compressed natural gas,(b)liquid petroleum gas and (c) electricity in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) other member states of the European Union; and if she will make a statement. [46728]

Mr. Battle

In 1997, 9,100 vehicles were registered as running on gas or gas and petrol. No breakdown between compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas is available. There were 17,400 electric vehicles. Taken together, gas and electric vehicles make up less than 1 per cent. of the vehicles in the UK. There are no comprehensive statistics for other EU member states.

Interest in alternatively fuelled vehicles is growing, especially among fleet operators and local authorities. DTI is supporting the development and use of such vehicles through the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme and the work of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force.