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F.A.Q.s,
and FACTS ON RUNNING YOUR CAR ON LPG (AUTOGAS)
Will converting my vehicle
to run on LPG (Autogas) save me money?
In a word - YES!
Due to the low fuel duty, LPG (Autogas) currently retails at less than half
the price of petrol and diesel. This means that even after allowing for the
slightly lower miles per gallon when running on LPG, (around 10%), you
can save up to 50% on your total fuel bill compared with petrol, and 20%
compared to an equivalent diesel vehicle.
The
Government supports LPG by reducing the level of fuel duty and by giving
three years advance notice in every Budget of any changes compared with
petrol and diesel. This means that we know that the price at the pumps
will continue at around half the price of petrol and diesel for at least
this period.
LPG is better for
your engine. Its simple chemical make-up means it's clean burning, and
as it is already in gaseous form when it enters the combustion cylinder, it
burns more efficiently than petrol or diesel. Fewer deposits build up in
your car engine, so it will run smoother and last longer. In addition, the
engine oil will remain cleaner for longer, and is thus more able to do its
job more efficiently. A further benefit is that your vehicle will have a
higher resale value when you eventually sell it.
Most cars having a petrol engine
with spark ignition can be converted to LPG, but it is essential that you
use a fully trained LPG specialist for the work. It costs from £1,200 to
convert a car or a light van. You can recoup this outlay quickly via lower
running costs and at the same time benefit the environment.
What is LPG (Autogas) and
where does it come from?
LPG (Liquefied
Petroleum Gas) is a clean and convenient source of energy in the UK that
helps reduce emissions. It has many uses in domestic, commercial,
agricultural and leisure heating and cooking, as well as a vehicle fuel,
when it is often referred to as Autogas.
About 60% of
the supply of LPG comes from the separation of natural gas products, and 40%
is a by-product from the refining of crude oil. The UK currently produces
over 6 million tonnes per year of which around 3 million tonnes is exported.
Only some 120,000 tonnes is used in transport. This provides security of
fuel supply for many years, and also lowers pollution by reducing harmful
emissions.
LPG Autogas is
well established world wide as an environmentally friendly transport fuel,
and is in use in over 11 million vehicles. There are over 4 million in
Europe and in the UK the market has developed over the last 7 years to
around 150,000 LPG vehicles on our roads.
What if I
own a 4x4, and don’t want the LPG tank taking up interior space?
For most popular
4x4 vehicles we have designed and developed our "Combo" Unit that
enables the petrol and LPG to be stored under the vehicle. This leaves the
interior completely un-obstructed, thus allowing goods to be carried and all
of the seating capacity of the vehicle to be used.
The
"Combo" Unit fits using existing mounting points, so no holes have
to be drilled in your vehicle. It comes complete with a steel underguard,
that protects both the petrol tank and the LPG tank. The "Combo"
Unit does not compromise the existing ground clearance of the vehicle, so it
is still suitable for Off Road driving.
For more information on our
"Combo" Units, and to find out if there is one available for your
vehicle click HERE
Where
can I fill up with LPG (Autogas)?
In The UK
LPG has by far
the widest availability of all alternative fuels. Filling up is easy, as
there are currently over 1,400 public access LPG filling stations, providing
effective coverage throughout the country. Most of these are on petrol
forecourts.
Most Motorway
Service Stations (but not all) are now selling LPG, and many of the main
trunk routes throughout the UK have Filling Stations that sell LPG.
We can provide
you with a list of LPG filling Stations in the UK with your conversion.
Overseas
LPG is widely
used as a vehicle fuel in continental Europe. Holland, Italy and France have
particularly well developed infrastructures. Spain, which in the past only
permitted LPG to be used in taxis and public vehicles, have now permitted
public fuelling sites to be opened and a link to a Spanish site can be found
in the LPG Refueling Site list elsewhere on this website.
LPG may be sold
under a variety of names "LPG", "GPL" and
"Autogas" being the commonest.
Three refueling systems may be found (there are moves towards a harmonised fitting but it
has not yet appeared in the marketplace). In some countries all three
systems are used. Most continental motorway service areas hold
"adaptors", and these can be obtained from some conversion
companies, however these must be used with great care. Adaptors should
always be securely fitted to the vehicle filling point before the filling
nozzle is attached. They should never be fitted to the nozzle itself. Few
pumps have English language instructions and attended service is rare on
motorway service areas and in hypermarkets. Local motorists can, however, be
helpful.
If you are
planning a journey on the Continent, an LPG Filler Nozzle Adapter will be
required. Please contact us for details of which nozzle(s) you will require.
Please
note that there may be some restrictions on LPG powered vehicles overseas.
See "Restrictions" lower down this page
Will
notice any difference when driving on LPG (Autogas)?
Vehicles that run
on LPG offer performance levels comparable to petrol vehicles. Any
differences in power or torque will be be absolutely minimal, and, in most
cases less than the differences experienced between two identical
petrol-engined models from the same manufacturer.
Your engine will
run smoother on LPG, as the LPG is introduced as a gas, and therefore burns
more evenly, which can also make the engine quieter.
It is essential
that the correct LPG kit is selected for your vehicle, and that is installed
and set up correctly using the appropriate electronic equipment.
How
environmentally friendly is LPG (Autogas)?
With
an LPG conversion you will not only benefit financially but you will also be
making a significant contribution to a greener planet. Take a look at the
facts:
Environmental
issues are now a part of everyday life. Two topics high on the agenda are
poor air quality, particularly in urban areas, and global warming. Vehicle
emissions, i.e. particulates, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon
dioxide (CO2), are recognised as one of the main contributors to these
problems: Department of Health statistics show that particulates are
responsible for thousands of advanced deaths and thousands of instances of
illness; NOx emissions are a major element of low-level ozone, which causes
smog and can worsen existing asthma conditions; CO2 is recognised as a major
contributor to the greenhouse effect, which makes the earth warmer. The
arguments to clean up the transport network are compelling.
The Government is
committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. The first step is
to reduce the emissions of the ‘average new car’ from 190 g/km (in 1995)
to 140 g/km by 2008. This would mean a 25% reduction in carbon emission.
The reduction in
pollutants when running on LPG (Autogas) can be seen from the comparison
table below: -
|
Compared
to Petrol |
Compared
to Diesel |
| 75% less Carbon Monoxide |
60% less Carbon Dioxide |
| 40% less Oxides of Nitrogen |
90% less Oxides of Nitrogen |
| 87% less ozone forming
potential |
70%
less ozone forming potential |
| 10% less Carbon Dioxide |
90% less particulates |
Further advantages of running on
LPG (Autogas) are: -
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LPG
engines are quieter than diesel engines. |
|
LPG
will quickly evaporate in the event of a fuel spill.
Unlike petrol and diesel, there is no risk of ground or water
contamination. |
|
LPG
can be found naturally. About
60% of UK LPG is a by-product of the natural gas extraction process. The
environmental and economic benefits of using this supply locally rather than
exporting it are substantial. |
Are
there any restrictions imposed on LPG vehicles?
Currently, LPG
vehicles are not permitted in the Channel Tunnel. This is because when the
Tunnel was opened there were insufficient LPG vehicles to justify
undertaking the necessary risk assessments. Following lobbying from various
sources, the risk assessments have been undertaken by the operator, and LPG
has proven to be safe in the tunnel. The operators are being pressed to
amend their policy.
However, LPG
vehicles are allowed on cross-channel ferries. Contact the cross-channel
carriers for further information.
There are a FEW
long road tunnels on the continent do not allow LPG powered vehicles. It is
wise to check with your motoring organisation or the tourist organisation of
the country that you are visiting before commencing your journey.
LPG powered vehicles are banned
from SOME underground car parks. This is because LPG is heavier than air,
and in SOME underground car parks have insufficient forced ventilation to
disperse any LPG that may escape in the highly unlikely event of a leak
occurring in the system.
How do I
switch between petrol and LPG?
All LPG Converted
vehicles normally start on petrol, and after about one mile (less if the
engine is warm), it will automatically switch over to running on LPG. This is a
completely automatic process, and does not require any input from the
driver. The changeover is completely seamless, and will be un-noticed by the
driver and occupants of the vehicle.
At the end of the
journey, the engine is simply switched off as normal, with no additional
operations to perform.
Should you inadvertently run out
of LPG whilst driving, the system will automatically switch over to petrol.
You will be alerted to this by an audible warning.
Do I have
to notify my Insurance Company about the conversion?
You will have to notify your insurance company. The
majority of major companies will not increase your premium provided that the
work has been properly carried out and complies with current regulations.
Auto Tanks Limited will provide
you with a Certificate of Installation, confirming that the conversion
carried out on your vehicle complies with all Government Regulations, and
the Liquid Petroleum Gas Association Code of Practice No.11
What is
the position with the DVLA regarding my vehicle being converted to LPG?
You have to
notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been converted to run on LPG in
addition to petrol. There is a section in your V5 Registration Document for
you to fill in and send to them.
Some vehicles may obtain a
reduction in the annual vehicle tax fee. To qualify the car has to meet Band
4 (40% improvement on Euro IV) emissions targets.
Is LPG
totally safe?
Extensive crash
and fire tests have proven that the strength and integrity of tanks fitted
in accordance with the LPGA Code of Practice (CoP11), makes an LPG system
totally safe.
An automatic
safety valve prevents overfilling of the tank. A number of other safety
features are built into the tanks including a pressure release valve and a
solenoid valve to shut off the flow when the engine stops. Crash tests have
shown that gas-powered vehicles are extremely safe, as LPG is more difficult
to ignite than any other fuels. Due to these properties and safety features,
gas-powered vehicles are safer than petrol-powered vehicle
Even HM The Queen has several
vehicles that are powered by LPG - Four royal cars - a 1960 Rolls-Royce
Phantom V, a Daimler Limousine, a Rover 400 and the Metrocab favoured by
Prince Philip - have so far been converted to run on LPG.
Does the
LPG system need to be serviced?
Your
LPG system will require a short inexpensive annual service consisting of
changing a filter and undertaking a thorough inspection of all of the
component parts. We suggest that you may wish to consider incorporating your
normal car service with the LPG service, for if we do both at the same time,
this will be more cost-effective for you.
Should
the above have not answered your questions, or if you have any other queries
on ANY aspect of LPG, please contact us and we will be pleased to
help.
To contact us you may select one of the
following: -
Address Auto Tanks Ltd, 2
Martins Court, Telford Way, Stephenson Industrial Estate, Coalville,
Leicester, LE67 3HD, United Kingdom
Phone +44
(0)1530 830055
E-Mail Info@autotanks.com
Alternatively
you can fill in a short request form by clicking here -> Contact us
We will
always do our best to answer any queries that you may have and give you the information
that you require: -
“We
are here to help”
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