LPG Autogas conversions and LPG OEM cars are popular around the world, as people understand the benefits of using LPG.
There are about 21 million LPG vehicles worldwide.
Australia is a leading country in terms of autogas infrastructure and use.
Take a look at these 10 reasons why LPG conversion might be a great choice for you, too…
1. Reduce Your Running Costs
If you fuel your car with autogas, in lieu of petrol or diesel, you could significantly cut your vehicle running costs.
Converting to LPG will generally deliver a cost saving of between 50 to 65 cents per litre.
This means that over the lifetime of your car, you would end up with impressive savings on your fuel costs.
For example, if you drive 30,000km per year, your savings could be nearly $1,500/year, compared to using petrol.
This type of savings is what has made LPG conversion popular with fleet operators, too.
2. Beat the Petrol Price Cycle
One of the unheralded benefits of having a dual fuel vehicle is the extended driving range provided by having two fuel tanks.
Unless you drive an extraordinary number of kilometres every week, you can cruise from low price point to low price point with a dual fuel car or truck, without having to refill in between.
Almost all vehicles fuelled by unleaded petrol can be converted to LPG operation at a reasonable cost.
These dual-fuel LPG systems allow a vehicle to operate on either LPG or petrol and can frequently double a vehicle’s range.
The petrol tank still remains in the car and the driver can switch from gas to petrol or vice-versa.
With both the petrol and LPG tanks filled, cruising ranges of 1000km or more are not unusual.
3. Reduced Maintenance Costs
Because autogas burns more cleanly, there are fewer waste deposits left in your engine after use.
With petrol and diesel, deposits can build up over time reducing the efficiency of your engine.
These deposits can also mean increased maintenance costs.
Engine oil and spark plugs need changing less often with LPG, so service intervals can be increased.
LPG is a cleaner burning fuel than petrol, so engine life is actually extended.
4. Better for the Environment
LPG cars fuelled by autogas provide a number of environmental benefits – cleaner air, less CO2 and a reduced amount of particulate emissions.
Autogas offers an immediate reduction of up to 15% in CO2 emissions compared to a petrol powered vehicle, while up to 80% of damaging particulates are eliminated by replacing a diesel engine with an LPG fuelled equivalent.
In addition, filling an LPG tank is a fully sealed process, so it is also environmentally beneficial during refuelling.
When filling up with petrol or diesel, chemical vapours escape into the atmosphere and can also be inhaled.
This does not happen with Autogas.
5. Better for Your Health
Diesel exhaust fumes are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, by the WHO, along with smoking, asbestos and other dangerous substances.
Experts stated that diesel exhaust was even more carcinogenic than second-hand cigarette smoke.
Diesel fumes are linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and also linked to bladder cancer.
Diesel exhaust consists of gases and soot.
The gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur oxides, and hydrocarbons.
The soot, or particulate matter, is made up of carbon, organic materials and trace metallic compounds.
It’s these fine particles that get into the deepest part of our lungs, where they may trigger asthma attacks, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and cancer.
The World Health Organisation estimates that there are more than 3 million deaths per year from air pollution.
6. Maximum Flexibility with Dual Fuel Systems
A duel system will allow you to swap between two fuel types at the flick of a switch.
This means that you can choose the fuel type that works best for you at any given moment or part of the price cycle.
If you do find yourself in a remote area where there are no autogas filling stations, then you can switch back to petrol and keep going.
7. No Reduction in Performance
A vehicle with a state-of-the-art liquid LPG system produces at least the same amount of power when running on LPG, as compared with running on petrol.
Autogas has a higher octane rating than petrol, so converted engines tend to run more smoothly.
This also allows higher compression ratios, which can deliver increased power output, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Liquid injection LPG systems are the latest generation in automotive LPG fuel system technology.
You get a substantial fuel savings with LPG Autogas, combined with equal engine performance, impeccable drive-ability and lower tailpipe emissions.
8. Easy Availability
Autogas stations are easy to find.
There are over 3,000 Autogas outlets in Australia.
In fact, we have one of the most extensive autogas distribution networks in the world.
9. Autogas is Safe
LPG has been used safely in Australian vehicles for decades.
Australian LPG fuel systems must meet the strict requirements of the Australian Standard AS1425, which covers specifications, installation and maintenance.
LPG systems are fitted with a myriad of safety devices and design considerations.
Pressure relief valves, automatic shut-off systems, back check valves, and heavy gauge steel tanks are amongst the safety features employed.
Autogas tanks are far more puncture resistant than the plastic petrol tanks used in modern cars.
In fact, it can be argued that LPG tanks are bulletproof.
10. Rapid Payback
You recover your initial investment very quickly, if you drive 30,000km or more per year.
At that rate, it would not be unusual to recoup the entire cost of the conversion, in fuel savings, within two years.
It can be quicker or slower than that, depending on how much you drive and the cost of conversion.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of good reasons to consider an LPG conversion for your car, SVU or light commercial vehicle.
Lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance frequency and cost, lower emissions, safety, and increased cruising range are all compelling reasons to switch to LPG Autogas.
