LPG can be used as fuel by certain vehicles, as soon as they leave the factory, or by subsequent adaptation. The main reason for its success is its price: LPG costs twice as much as conventional fuels. So why convert my vehicle, and how do I maintain a car running on LPG?
You will also be interested
[EN VIDÉO] Hydrogen car: a hybrid service station tested in Switzerland Like other nations, Switzerland is preparing for the massive arrival of electric and hydrogen vehicles for which it will be necessary to develop an energy distribution network. It is in this perspective that the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne has undertaken to test a service station concept capable of recharging cars with electricity or hydrogen produced on site and without carbon dioxide emissions.
The use of gas in L’automotive is not a recent invention: it has been used for decades. the LPG comes from 40% of oil and 60% of natural gases. It is actually a mixture of two gases: butane and propane. The gases become liquids at a temperature below -40º C. They are then maintained in this state at high pressure inside bottles.
Converting a car to LPG
Which cars can use LPG?
A spark is needed to start the combustion of LPG. Thus, only petrol engines can be equipped with the systems necessary for the use of LPG. Diesel engines, on the other hand, are not compatible, as they use high fuel compression to start.
Some cars are ready from the factory to use LPG. If not, almost all gasoline vehicles built after the 2000s can be retrofitted. We then speak of a “retrofit”.
How much does it cost to convert a car to LPG?
To convert your vehicle to LPG, you can go to a specialized center. The price is usually between 1,800 and 2,600 euros depending on the brand of the car, the number of cylinders and its size. You can usually request a quote without obligation.
Does converting to LPG affect the operation of the car?
Current vehicles running on LPG make it possible to obtain performances practically identical to those of other types of fuel. The power drop is estimated to be less than 2% compared to conventional fuels. The change is therefore imperceptible to the driver.
When the conversion is complete, the car is able to use either gasoline or gas. The step between the two systems is very discreet: a reduction in noise may possibly be observed when using LPG gas.
Unless instructed otherwise, the vehicle system itself will choose which of the two sources ofenergy he will employ. They are normally set to start using gas, before switching to fuel.
Maintenance of a car running on LPG
The maintenance of a car running on LPG is similar to that of a conventional fuel car (petrol or diesel). Follow your manufacturer’s instructions, in general, a service every 20,000 km maximum is recommended. The technical control is also identical for vehicles running on LPG or gasoline.
The LPG professional who will overhaul your vehicle will check in particular:
- The vapor regulator: essential component of LPG vehicles, since it makes possible the passage from the liquid state to the gaseous state
- The safety valve
- The gas filter
- The LPG cap, checks that there are no leaks
The combustion of LPG is beneficial for the vehicle engine, it is total, thus limiting the deposit of waste and fouling! The oil found in LPG engines also makes it possible to space oil changes, preserving the lubricating properties of the engine for longer. To conclude, the maintenance of an LPG vehicle is not more expensive than that of a conventional vehicle.
Interested in what you just read?