What is LPG?
It is the so-called Liquid Petroleum Gas used as a fuel in automobiles. It comes from a mixture of butane and propane that can be used as an alternative fuel with a smaller carbon footprint and much less pollution than conventional fuels.
Its use allows to reach levels of pollutant emissions lower than gasoline or diesel, besides being the most economic fuels currently in our country.
It is expected that biological LPG derived from various biomass sources will be implemented as a viable technology in the medium and long term. LPG can be used for road transport (cars and trucks) over all kinds of distances. It can also be used in inland navigation and short sea shipping.
What is LPG in a car?
LPG or liquefied petroleum gas, is a type of transformation on the combustion that is carried out on gasoline or diesel vehicles so that they can save a lot of money in case they are used intensively.
In total there are approximately 21 million Bifuel and Dual-Fuel Autogas vehicles in the world.
As stated in the European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/94/EU, the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are currently considered the main alternative fuels, with the potential to replace oil in the long term and offer a more immediate and less expensive solution, compared to other energies such as electricity, hydrogen or biofuels.
Currently the majority of the company is betting on Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG, due to a better performance, ease of implementation and infrastructure and because of its lower content in polluting gases.
LPG infrastructure is relatively well developed, with a significant number of service stations already present in the European Union (approximately 29 000).
LPG History
LPG began to be applied in a minority way during the first half of the 20th century. It was discovered in the first decade of the century and it was a key part of petrol, as well as being responsible for its evaporation. Later, with the most advanced treatment, other gases such as butane and propane were isolated.
It was marketed in 1912 in Pennsylvania by the American Gasoline Company, but it was not until 1934 that the first cylinder was sold in France. However, in our country it would take much longer to arrive; there are many factors that delayed its arrival, but above all it is related to the warlike conflicts of the time, that is, the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. The fact is that in these post-war times, in Spain, there were very few resources; apart from food and other goods, there was no fuel either. Very few vehicles survived these wars.
In 1957, the entity Butano S.A. was created and eventually transformed into Repsol Butano. It was not until 1988 that tests began to be carried out to check whether or not LPG was viable in public transport. In this way, several Pegaso 6038 buses were transformed by the manufacturer. From 1993 onwards, LPG would be promoted throughout Spain.
Advantages of LPG
Fuel savings and economy:
The conversion to LPG allows a saving of between 40 and 45% in fuel, and a decrease in the frequency with which oil and filters must be changed. The difference is due to the price of the fuel itself (gas vs. petrol; gas vs. diesel) and the sustainable improvement in the vehicle’s performance with the installation.
Improves synergies and engine life:
The use of a “clean” fuel, capable of emitting less impurities, extends the life of the engine and other vehicle components. Less breakdowns, less maintenance…
More KM per refueling:
The installation of an extra fuel tank (for LPG or CNG) offers the possibility of NOT refueling for longer. This allows you to cover more kilometres between each refuelling and guarantee more comfort on your journeys.
ECO labels:
Installing an LPG kit allows you to obtain the ECO label for your vehicle.
Environmental aid:
LPG cars emit less pollutants into the atmosphere, making them a more environmentally friendly means of transport. The combustion of gas generates fewer harmful elements for the environment, because the most harmful substances resulting from the combustion of petrol, such as benzene or lead, do not appear in LPG or CNG.
Links of interest
Additional information on other pages of interest related to Autogas at both national and continental level.