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The whole point of what're called "alternative fuels" is that they offer a driver something other than gasoline to put into the tank. With that in mind, it makes sense that Proton is happy to announce the new dual-fuel ecoLogic GEN-2 in the UK. These new models can burn either standard petrol or LPG, which is much cheaper than petrol.

The two ecoLogic GEN-2 models - saloon (£10,995) or hatch (£10,795) - don't cost any more than the petrol-only versions and Proton proudly states that "Even allowing for the slightly increased fuel consumption when running on LPG, customers can save around 40% on their fuel costs" (see full release after the jump). LPG is actually a reasonable option in the UK thanks to over 1,400 stations that sell the fuel, according to Proton. Each ecoLogic GEN-2 is powered by a 1.6L engine and, for a limited time, a free leather interior upgrade. With all this, doesn't there seem to have to be a downside somewhere? Any readers want to report?

In any case, Malaysian automaker Proton is also working on electric cars with help from Zap and Youngman Automotive Group.


[Source: Proton]

Photo credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images. Click to enlarge.

Last night, for a special screening of the movie version of "Sex and the City," star Kristen Davis got a ride in the dual-fuel BMW Hydrogen 7. Davis rode the car to the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood, California. While I'm sure the drama was kept on-screen, let's not forget that co-star Kim Cattrall is really more into the Mercedes GLK Freeside, as she proved with her appearance at the Detroit Auto Show in January. In fact, the GLK Freeside is featured in the movie, if preview materials are to be believed. In any case, the movie opens nationwide today. That hydrogen-powered car? Not quite as available.


[Source: Rubenstein Communications, Inc.]

GM Holden Australia has added a factory-backed dual-fuel option (petrol + liquid petroleum gas) to the latest models of its leading large car, the Commodore. It's not a cheap option though, adding almost AUD$2000 (US$1546) to the standard price even after a federal government rebate is taken into account. While liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is significantly cheaper than regular unleaded petrol, only people like taxi drivers who put in huge kilometres behind the wheel are likely to gain the full financial benefit from adding LPG.

The new VE Commodore range including Omega, V-Series, Berlina models has been updated for the new dual-fuel option which is also available on the current wagon and ute models. The sticker price for adding the LPG option is a very serious AUD$3900 (US$3015), which after taking into account the Australian Federal Government's LPG grant of AUD$2000 (US$1546), reduces the final surcharge to AUD$1900 (US$1469).

Ford has been the leading proponent of LPG fuel options in Australia, including an LPG-only car, the only one of its kind. The direct injection LPG technology used in the Commodore is newer than the pre-mix method used by Ford, but CARSguide at least gave its thumbs up to the Ford for quieter and smoother option at a lower price.

Analysis: The Australian government has come under fire from environmental groups for offering such a hefty discount to promote the use of LPG, which is not a renewable fuel. The major oil companies end up winning either way so they're happy. And voters do get a cheaper fuel option, but I'd prefer to see this kind of federal initiative promoting ethanol flex-fuel and biodiesel.

Related:

• Going green with a LPG limo
• Oil companies are the big winners in Australia's switch to LPG

[Source: CARSguide.com.au]

The last time we mentioned Clean Air Power on AutoblogGreen, readers went back and forth a little bit on whether the natural gas injection into a diesel system was really a good thing. So, feel free to discuss that issue again, but the news out this week was that the UK-based Clean Air Power won a £1.5m contract to supply the patented Dual-Fuel gas/diesel truck engine system into a freight company's trucks in Perth, Australia. The company is the Mitchell Corporation and is paying Clean Air Power to both fit and retrofit new and existing trucks with Dual-Fuel. Mitchell's 14-truck trial found that the lower fuel use meant fuel savings of up to £40,000 per truck per year. Clean Air Power says annual carbon emissions drop about 37 percent on Dual-Fuel.

Related:

• Diesel-natural gas dual-fuel retro-fit systems from Clean Air Power coming out clean
• Clean Air Power's diesel-natural gas conversion system could help Britain reach Kyoto targets

[Source: Clean Air Power]