As Britain was battered by storms linked by scientists to global warming, Volvo announced a full range of cars using cleaner alternative fuels.

The company's Bi-Fuel models carry a 1,800 premium over the equivalent standard model. They cost from 17,045 (for the S40 1.8 S) to 19,717 (for the V40 1.8 SE). Bi-Fuel cars can be switched from petrol to LPG (liquid petroleum gas) or CNG (compressed natural gas). Approximate costs for the alternative fuels are 40p a litre for LPG and 48p for CNG, offering considerable savings over petrol or diesel.

According to Volvo, LPG can produce a 717 saving over petrol on an annual mileage of 16,000. With CNG, the equivalent figure is 662.

Volvo reckons a V70 LPG could do more than 500 miles without a refill. A Volvo spokesman said: There is an increasing focus on UK fuel costs and alternative fuels. So it is no surprise the number of filling stations with LPG pumps is rapidly increasing. Alternative fuels lower carbon dioxide emissions (by around ten per cent on LPG, and 20 per cent with CNG).

Cars were being run on LPG decades ago but the spokesman said Volvo was the first manufacturer to offer alternative fuel vehicles with European whole vehicle type approval and a full factory warranty.