If you are like most people today, pulling up to the gas pump probably instills fear. Worrying about how much the price has gone up since you were there last has become a regular occurrence. Its time for an alternative to gasoline. Running your car on liquid petroleum gas or LPG may be that alternative. This is a parallel product produced along with gas. For the longest time, it was considered waste and actually burned by petroleum factories.
The list of pros far outweighs that of the cons, which are substantial at the moment, but do not pose any hurdles that cannot be overcome if government and product producers are so inclined.That being said, let us first take a look at the cons. In order to use LPG, an ordinary gasoline or diesel vehicle needs to be converted.
There is a conversion kit available for most passenger vehicles on the road today. The catch 22 is that the EPA has recently added more regulation. Despite the multitude of conversion options available, it is difficult find a one that w meets the required standards for US passenger cars.
The US is home to 4,000 LPG refueling sites. Unfortunately, they are not available to consumers 24/7. For that reason, there is not currently a vehicle that runs on LPG only. All vehicles using this technology are dual-fuel, meaning they are a combination of two engine types. The gas or diesel is used for start up and then the LPG takes over. The transfer from one to the other and vice-versa is automatic, so the driver has no need to wonder when to do it.
This two fuel engine also acts as a saving grace during the colder months. The vapor pressure of liquid petroleum or liquid propane tends to be lower when the temperatures drop, especially below 32 degrees. Under normal conditions starting the car could be difficult. With the dual-fuel engine, you just start the car with gas or diesel as you normally would.
Other reported negatives are that there is less energy in one gallon of liquid propane than in the same amount of gasoline. The driving range is about 14% less than that of regular gas. The cost is higher priced than compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline.
On the positive side of things, there are many advantages to making the switch. First off, the environmental impact alone is significant. LPG is not water soluble and it does not pollute underground sources of water because it evaporates upon release from the tank. Secondly, when running it in your car it emits 70% less carbon monoxide and 80% less hydrocarbons into the air.
Compared to regular gasoline, the octane rating of LPG is over 100%. That means it burns more completely when it mixes with air. Because of this, nothing is left behind. Regular gasoline leaves behind carbon deposits that build up in the engine and cause it to deteriorate over time. Using LPG the opposite is true. Because nothing is left behind, the engine continues to run smooth and quiet for a greater period of time.
Although there are drawbacks, LPG has some very attractive advantages that suggest it should be investigated further. This is a viable alternative to gasoline consumption. It is currently being used outside the US.
The list of pros far outweighs that of the cons, which are substantial at the moment, but do not pose any hurdles that cannot be overcome if government and product producers are so inclined.That being said, let us first take a look at the cons. In order to use LPG, an ordinary gasoline or diesel vehicle needs to be converted.
There is a conversion kit available for most passenger vehicles on the road today. The catch 22 is that the EPA has recently added more regulation. Despite the multitude of conversion options available, it is difficult find a one that w meets the required standards for US passenger cars.
The US is home to 4,000 LPG refueling sites. Unfortunately, they are not available to consumers 24/7. For that reason, there is not currently a vehicle that runs on LPG only. All vehicles using this technology are dual-fuel, meaning they are a combination of two engine types. The gas or diesel is used for start up and then the LPG takes over. The transfer from one to the other and vice-versa is automatic, so the driver has no need to wonder when to do it.
This two fuel engine also acts as a saving grace during the colder months. The vapor pressure of liquid petroleum or liquid propane tends to be lower when the temperatures drop, especially below 32 degrees. Under normal conditions starting the car could be difficult. With the dual-fuel engine, you just start the car with gas or diesel as you normally would.
Other reported negatives are that there is less energy in one gallon of liquid propane than in the same amount of gasoline. The driving range is about 14% less than that of regular gas. The cost is higher priced than compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline.
On the positive side of things, there are many advantages to making the switch. First off, the environmental impact alone is significant. LPG is not water soluble and it does not pollute underground sources of water because it evaporates upon release from the tank. Secondly, when running it in your car it emits 70% less carbon monoxide and 80% less hydrocarbons into the air.
Compared to regular gasoline, the octane rating of LPG is over 100%. That means it burns more completely when it mixes with air. Because of this, nothing is left behind. Regular gasoline leaves behind carbon deposits that build up in the engine and cause it to deteriorate over time. Using LPG the opposite is true. Because nothing is left behind, the engine continues to run smooth and quiet for a greater period of time.
Although there are drawbacks, LPG has some very attractive advantages that suggest it should be investigated further. This is a viable alternative to gasoline consumption. It is currently being used outside the US.
About the Author:
For best quality lpg conversions for your business and domestic vehicles, pre-book your car into Finedon Classic Conversions for superb lpg conversions now
