LPG is most widely used alternative fuel in the world, but unknown to the vast majority of you. LPG is a mixture of butane and propane that is stored at a pressure of 10 bars, that is, in a liquid state. It is a fuel of fossil origin available in enormous quantities on the planet. It can also be said GLV, vehicle liquefied gas.

This technology does not have much to do with CNG (compressed natural gas or vehicular natural gas), since in this case we are talking about high-pressure tanks. LPG s used in internal combustion engines by spark ignition, therefore, the Otto cycle engine, or commonly called “gasoline”.

LPG has a series of environmental and economic advantages that makes it especially interesting, although it still has certain drawbacks that prevent its use on a massive scale.

WHY LGP?

Its cost is 50% lower than diesel and it is less sensitive to prices oscillations than gasoline or diesel. It is the cheapest automotive fuel supplied to our country (and in many others around the globe).

Environmentally speaking, it is much more respectful. Emissions are more innocuous in almost all respects in gasoline or diesel vehicles, without resorting to expensive hybrid or electric solutions. On the other hand, it is very easy to obtain, since the oil refining process generates LPG and it is also possible to obtain it from natural gas deposits.

Reduces NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions by 95% compared to diesel, CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emissions compared to gasoline in most cases, hardly emits particles, fewer unburned hydrocarbons (HC) , aldehydes, BTX... Only carbon monoxide (CO) and ammonia (NH₃) increase compared to their rivals.

Virtually any vehicle with a petrol engine can run on LPG, but it needs to be previously adapted or built for it. Diesels cannot work with LPG due to technical complications that make it unfeasible and from now on we will consider that they do not exist.

The LPG is is stored in an additional tank to the petrol, normally located in the trunk in the spare wheel well. Every transformed vehicle becomes bifuel: it can run on petrol or LPG, using one fuel at the same time, not mixed, but it can be changed on the move.

The adaptation consists of adapting injectors, fuel pumping ducts, tank installation and a switch that alternates one fuel or another. The ignition of the engine is always done with petrol until the coolant water reaches 40ºC. The autonomy extends until exhausting both deposits. The LPG tank is never filled more than 80% for safety reasons.

In terms of litres/100 km, using LPG there is a slight increase compared to a gasoline vehicle, but it is compensated by the reduced cost of fuel, 50% lower on average. In exchange for a slight loss of power at high RPM (around 3-10hp), the engine becomes smoother and more energetic at low RPM - quieter, vibrates less and longer lasting (with the right parts).

There is no need to fear for the safety of the tank, since it meets higher requirements than petrol tanks, which is, after all, a dangerous fuel.

LPG IN SPAIN TODAY 

At the moment there are few service stations, but it is something that is on the rise. Repsol, which has 80% of the LPG market, is expanding the number of stations, there are four more companies that supply it. It is easy to find EESS in big cities. The cost of adapting the vehicle, around 2,000 euros, can be covered almost entirely with a subsidy.

The IDAE, through the autonomous communities, gives 15% of the value of the vehicle as a subsidy (up to 2,000 euros), or 450 euros to adapt a model that is not new. The rest of the extra cost is amortized much faster than a diesel due to the low cost of fuel.

Another drawback is that if the engine was not designed from the beginning to run on LPG , it may suffer long-term injection system failures due to corrosion, although the savings over its useful life would compensate for this. According to the most pessimistic forecasts, there will be LPG available longer than petrol or diesel as it is more abundant in reserves.

As standard or adapted from the factory there are 54 models from 18 manufacturers such as Citroën, Chevrolet, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, SEAT, Skoda, Opel, Renault and Volkswagen. You have to ask for them at the dealership, and not all gasoline engines are available, usually the fewest  powerful

When you see a taxi driver with a petrol engine, he is probably using autogas. Taxi drivers were among the first users to benefit from LPG , legislation has been the main brake on this fuel in our country. But things are changing.

The dream of many motorists is close to us: to use a gasoline engine without suffering from consumption, at the price of supply in the United States, and polluting much less . If they become more numerous, the oil companies would have a tough rival in the gas stations. 

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