What is LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a mixture of propane, butane and ethane. Sometimes referred to as "autogas" when used as fuel in the automotive industry. Liquid Petroleum Gas is a by-product of oil production and with its basic chemical make up makes it a clean cheap fuel alternative.
Rise in Popularity of LPG Cars
With the ever increasing costs in fuel for our cars and the rise in tax for larger cars and company fleet cars the alternative fuel of LPG is becoming more popular. The government has tried to encourage motorists to use cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuels such as LPG.
LPG Cars
Many car manufacturers now produce duel fueled cars which can run from Petrol or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The manufacturers making these cars include Citroen, Vauxhall, Ford, Renault, Proton and Nissan.
Alternatively if a new car is too expensive or you just want to save money on your existing vehicle the most cost effective and popular method is to have a LPG conversion.
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The Benefits of LPG Fuel on your car and your finances.
- The cost of LPG is half that of Petrol.
- Reduced Road Tax.
- Exemption from the London Congestion Charge.
- Reduction in engine noise.
- Engine life increased due to the absence of acids and carbon deposits in the LPG fuel.
- The engine oil does not become diluted with a reduction in servicing costs.
The Benefits of LPG Fuel on the Environment
- Reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to petrol and diesel.
Disadvantages of LPG fueled Cars
- LPG conversion of an average car can cost approx £1,200 - £2,500
- The conversion of your car to LPG reduces the space in your vehicle. The tank is usually located in the boot and therefore reduces the space for luggage and maybe the spare wheel.
- There are restrictions in many tunnels throughout the UK and Europe with regard to LPG fueled vehicles. The Eurotunnel does not allow any LPG fueled vehicles to cross through the tunnel.
- Possible increase in excess from your insurance company.
- Not all petrol stations provide LPG fuel.
- Possible warranty problems from your manufacturer depending on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Conversion.
Car Conversion to LPG
All LPG car conversions should comply with the LP Gas Association Code of Practice No. 11 'Autogas Installation'. Conversion should only be carried out by an installer recommended by the LP Gas Association. A full list of companies carrying out LPG car conversions is included on their website www.lpga.co.uk.
The majority of car conversions today are duel fuel and the car with have a mounted switch so that the converted car can run from either liquefied petroleum gas or petroleum.
What is involved in a LPG Conversion
With a dual fueled installation a gas injection LPG system is fitted into the vehicle, some new parts are added but very little of the existing vehicle components are changed or removed. The vehicle will be able to run on both liquefied petroleum gas and petrol.
A vapouriser is fitted to the cars water system which converts the liquefied gas into a gaseous vapour. The vapouriser is run inline with the engines ignition. Gas injectors are installed which inject the gas directly to the cylinders. The amount injected is controlled by an LPG computer which limits the amount of gas injected.
A dashboard mounted switch is fitted which allows you to select from LPG or Petrol. And a gauge showing how much gas is in the tank is also installed.
A LPG tank is generally installed in the boot area and possible in place of the spare wheel. Each tank has an automatic fill limiter to restrict over filing for safety purposes. The fuel can not be pumped from the tank when the ignition is switched of. Lastly a new LPG filing point is installed in the rear wing close to the existing fueling point.
All installations should be from an approved LPG conversion company and should provide a certificate of conformity once the installation is completed. This may be required for your cars existing warranty and by your insurer due to the alteration to your car.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How much do LPG Cars Cost -
The cost of conversion is about £1200 - £2500 depending on the car and the conversion required. Savings are made from the reduced tax and the main cost of the reduced fuel. The LPG is approximately 50% cheaper than petrol and although it uses more fuel than petrol the savings can be around 30%-40% cheaper than using petrol. With savings like that it will not take long for a long mileage driver to recoup the costs of the LPG conversion.
Is LPG Fuel Safe
The gas is contained in a sealed steel tank and all pipe connections are made in a gas tight box. A safety valve controls the gas supply if any of the pipes are damaged or broken.
Will My Car Lose Performance
There may be a slight loss in power when running from the LPG but the difference should be very small and hardly noticeable.
What is the Efficiency of the LPG?
You will get approximately 80% of the standard mileage that you got from your car running on petrol. The mileage depends upon the varying cars and engine size but with the cost of LPG at approximately half the price of petrol there is still plenty to save.
How Are LPG Cars Fueled
The nozzle is connected to the car from the dispenser and a seal is created. The amount of LPG fuel to be dispensed is preselected and automatically pumped. Today most forecourts supply autogas or LPG fuel as a standard along with petrol and diesel.
Are LPG Cars Good for the Environment?
Greenhouse gases from LPG fuel emissions are greatly reduced due to the gases low carbon content. Even though the consumption of LPG fueled cars is 20-30% more than petrol cars there is still around 15% reduction in greenhouse gases.
