Also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane is a domestically produced, well-established fuel. Using propane as a vehicle fuel can provide the convenience of on-site fueling economically, improves public health and the environment, provides safety benefits, and contributes to a resilient transportation system.
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The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. A successful transition to clean transportation will require various vehicle and fuel solutions and must consider life cycle emissions. Compared with vehicles fueled by conventional diesel and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, depending on vehicle type, drive cycle, and engine calibration. Learn more about propane emissions.
A variety of medium- and heavy-duty propane vehicle models are available through original equipment manufacturers and select dealerships. For medium-duty vehicles, engines are available that are designed as prep-ready, meaning they are designed to handle the higher temperature and lower lubricity of propane. For vehicle options, see the Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search or, for light-duty models, the Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles list.
While propane vehicles can cost several thousand dollars more than comparable gasoline vehicles, the cost of the fuel itself is typically lower than that of gasoline, so the return on investment can be quick. In comparison to diesel vehicles (such as school buses), however, propane models can cost on par with their diesel counterparts because of the diesel vehicle's more expensive engine and emissions controls. Fleets and consumers also have the option of economically, safely, and reliably converting in-use light-, medium-, and heavy-duty gasoline vehicles for propane operation using qualified system retrofitters. It's critical that all vehicle and engine conversions meet the emissions and safety regulations and standards instituted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Fire Protection Association (Code 58), and state agencies like the California Air Resources Board. Learn about propane vehicle conversions.
By using the AFDC Station Locator tool, fleets and private users can identify nearby public and private fueling stations. Propane stations are categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary stations have dedicated vehicle services and tend to be less expensive than secondary stations, which mostly serve the propane tank and bottle market.
Fleets can use existing public infrastructure or work with local propane marketers to establish private infrastructure and a pricing structure, which can greatly reduce the end cost of the fuel. Negotiating a supply contract can be beneficial to fleets in terms of reducing their overall fuel cost. Costs will depend on the volume of fuel that’s indicated in the contract and the complexity of the equipment being installed. Learn more about the cost of propane infrastructure.
Propane at primary infrastructure sites (those that frequently provide fuel to vehicles) typically costs less per gallon than gasoline, and propane vehicles provide a comparable driving range to conventionally fueled vehicles. Propane’s lower British thermal unit rating per gallon results in lower fuel economy, but its lower per-gallon cost can quickly offset the lower fuel economy.
The potential for lower maintenance costs makes propane a popular choice for high-mileage vehicles. Propane's high octane rating, combined with its low-carbon and low oil-contamination characteristics, has resulted in improved engine life compared to conventional gasoline engines. Cold-start problems can often be reduced as well. This is because the fuel's mixture (propane and air) is completely gaseous when entering the engine's combustion chamber, and propane engines do not require an enriched fuel mixture during cold-weather startups the way other, liquid-fueled engines do.
The transportation sector accounts for about 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of U.S. petroleum consumption. Diversifying the U.S. fuel supply with domestic fuels like propane, the vast majority of which is produced here and distributed via an established infrastructure, has helped reduce our overall use of imported petroleum in recent years. Using alternative fuels and other advanced technologies to reduce petroleum consumption continues to strengthen national security and reduce transportation energy costs for businesses and consumers.
When fuel prices reach unbearable levels (and buying an EV/hybrid is not an option), there’s always another choice – LPG. While intriguing and usually quite cheap, LPG systems aren’t widely popular. Could it be the right choice for you, though?
Let’s explore the significant advantages of the LPG system, examine its drawbacks, and determine if it is indeed a viable approach to reducing your fuel expenses.
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Get reportAn LPG conversion is a process where additional elements are installed in your vehicle, enabling it to use gas as fuel.
During the LPG conversion, your car will receive an additional gas fuel tank, a supplementary fuel system integrated into the factory setup, and other smaller components.
Upon completion, the LPG system operates in conjunction with the original fuel system, allowing the driver to switch between LPG and gasoline.
When gas equipment is designed and installed correctly, it’s engineered to provide both reliability and safety during all journeys, regardless of their duration. Stringent standards and rigorous quality control measures ensure that the gas equipment will meet the highest safety requirements.
Vehicles that use gas instead of petrol or diesel may appear fundamentally distinct in their design, but they function just like any other vehicle in the world.
The major difference lies in the fact that in order to switch your car to run on gas, you will need to undergo an LPG conversion process. Once the conversion is complete, there’s no need for additional preparations or extensive research on how to drive a car with an LPG system.
On average, an LPG system saves around $500 in fuel costs each year. So, if you drive 15,000 miles a year, the LPG system should pay for itself in about 6 months.
Every modern gas system today consists of numerous components, each serving a specific purpose. Let’s briefly examine each of these components.
The main function of the reducer-vaporizer is to reduce and vaporize the liquid gas obtained from the tank. This ensures a consistent supply of gas to the engine, with appropriate flow for various usage conditions.
In an LPG system, the gas is initially stored in the tank as a liquid under a pressure of 5-10 bar. The reduction process occurs in two stages.
In the first stage, the pressure is lowered to 0.8-1.2 bar. Then, in the second stage, the reducer works in conjunction with the suction gallery’s vacuum pressure to supply the required amount of gas based on the engine’s demand. This ensures a steady flow of gas to the engine, optimizing its performance.
Another important component in the LPG system is the device called LPG solenoid valve located between the tank and the LPG reducer. Its primary function is to block the gas flow to the reducer when the vehicle is running on gasoline.
Furthermore, this device plays a crucial role in filtering the gas, effectively removing impurities and ensuring a cleaner supply to the LPG system.
The fuel selector allows the driver to choose between LPG or gasoline as the fuel source.
There’s a diverse range of these devices available. They may have an indicator displaying the fuel level in the tank. The transition from gasoline to LPG can be initiated by pressing a button or automatically (particularly if the vehicle has a direct-injection fuel supply system).
This device plays a vital role in the LPG system. It monitors signals from the oxygen sensor and the throttle position sensor. With the assistance of a stepper motor, it effectively manages the amount of gas drawn into the engine, ensuring optimal operating conditions.
Furthermore, this control module automatically generates the appropriate parameters for fuel and air mixture, continuously making necessary adjustments based on the prevailing operating conditions.
This electronic device assumes the responsibility of interrupting the voltage supply to the injectors. This action effectively cuts off the gasoline supply when the vehicle transitions to using LPG as the fuel source.
By controlling the flow of fuel, the device ensures a seamless switch between gasoline and LPG, optimizing the performance of the LPG system.
The LPG tank serves as the dedicated fuel storage for gas, offering flexibility in size and shape to accommodate different requirements.
Among the various options available, the circular-shaped LPG tank stands out as the most popular and practical choice. This type of tank can be conveniently installed in place of the spare wheel, maximizing space utilization within the vehicle.
Having an LPG-fueled car has its pros and cons. First, let’s explore the key advantages of owning a car with a gas system.
One of the most notable advantages of the LPG system is the potential for significant fuel cost savings. Filling an LPG tank is considerably cheaper than petrol or diesel.
It’s true that vehicles equipped with an LPG system typically consume approximately 10 to 30% more fuel overall compared to traditional fuel options. Nevertheless, the savings can still range from 20 to 30%, depending on the relative costs of gas, petrol, or diesel, as well as the specific vehicle being driven.
The adoption of natural gas as a vehicle fuel offers a promising solution to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation, as demonstrated by the heavy-duty truck manufacturer IVECO.
Real-world tests involving multiple 44-ton heavy-duty trucks have shown remarkable reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) through the utilization of natural gas. NOx levels diminished by 40-64%, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 20% when compared to diesel-powered counterparts.
The potential for further environmental benefits is even bigger with the use of biomethane derived from organic waste. Incorporating biomethane makes it possible to reduce emissions by up to 80% (and this figure increases to an impressive 95% when utilizing agricultural waste).
While gas-powered cars are a viable alternative to petrol or diesel vehicles, they also have significant drawbacks.
Even though gas significantly reduces emissions, it’s still classified as a fossil fuel. Consequently, the production and utilization of gas as a fuel source contribute to pollution and global warming.
LPG system failures often have a strong correlation with the condition of the gas equipment components and the quality of the gas installation.
Among the most prevalent are issues such as:
To determine which parts of the LPG system may be malfunctioning based on the exhibited symptoms, here’s the helpful guidelines:
While industries continue to invest in alternative fuel vehicles, it’s important to note that advancements in the field of LPG systems have not ceased.
There are efforts to reduce the weight of LPG fuel tanks using innovative materials, including carbon fiber reinforced composites. The goal is to enhance fuel efficiency and achieve better weight distribution, ultimately leading to improved handling and overall vehicle performance.
Recently, LPG suppliers in the UK showcased an LPG range extender for electric vehicles. This unique LPG system aims to use gas to power an electric generator, charging the battery responsible for powering the electric motors. This setup provides many advantages for electric vehicles:
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Article by
Aivaras Grigelevičius
Aivaras has been excited about cars since he was a little kid. Later, this passion for drivable objects (and everything that surrounds them) grew into work as an automotive journalist. Since then, Aivaras has written for several different magazines, covering anything with an accelerator pedal. He has a soft spot for cars with an Alfa Romeo badge.