McGarvey’s van was supplied with a factory-fitted LPG system when he bought it with 10 miles on the clock in 2003. In the 11 years since then, he claims to have racked up a further 225,000 miles on regular jobs travelling between his Preston base and London – with a saving of more than £20,000 in fuel costs compared to running the equivalent petrol or diesel model.
‘When the recession hit, I was able to cut my prices because I was using LPG,’ McGarvey explains. ‘LPG costs me about half what petrol or diesel would. To get to north London from Preston is 230 miles, which costs £38 on gas but would cost £80 in petrol. The last six years have been very tough financially and without the big savings I’ve made using LPG I’d have gone bust. I’ve kept my head above water thanks to LPG – so it’s no exaggeration to say it’s been a real lifesaver for me.’
McGarvey believes that firms could significantly reduce their operating costs and offer more competitive pricing to customers; and reports that his LPG van is efficient and comfortable to drive.
‘It runs so smoothly and quietly on gas,’ he said. ‘My goal, in about five years, is to have 10 vans, with three people in each, running on LPG, and serving the north west and London like I do at the moment – I don’t want to be Eddie Stobart. He should be using LPG though!’