- What is LPG Autogas?
- Where does LPG come from?
- Is LPG Autogas different to LPG used in a BBQ?
- Is LPG Autogas safe?
- How Safe Are LPG Autogas Engine Systems?
- Why is LPG Autogas more environmentally friendly?
- Why is LPG Autogas so much cheaper than petrol?
- Why does Autogas cost more in the country than in the city?
- Can I drive around Australia in an LPG Autogas car?
- Does the Government support LPG Autogas?
- Will my fuel consumption increase if I convert to LPG Autogas?
- Will my vehicle's performance suffer on LPG?
- How do I refuel with LPG Autogas?
- Is my vehicle suitable for conversion to LPG Autogas and how much will it cost?
LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is the generic name used for mixtures of hydrocarbons (mainly propane and butane). When these mixtures are lightly compressed (approx.800 kPa or 120 psi) they change from a gaseous state to a liquid.
LPG is colourless, odourless and heavier than air. A chemical is added to give it a smell like rotten cabbage, so that even a very small leak can be easily detected. LPG burns readily in air and has an energy content similar to petrol, which makes it an excellent fuel for heating, cooking and for automotive use.
LPG Autogas is specifically design for use in a vehicle and can contain both propane and butane. The LPG autogas specification (or mix) is governed by the National Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and the Autogas Determination 2003.
LPG can be obtained from two different methods or processes.
Most commonly in Australia it is extracted directly from &lsquowet&rsquo natural gas or crude oil. Almost 80% of Australian LPG is produced from this process and includes places like Bass Strait (VIC), Cooper Basin (SA), Kwinana (WA), North West Shelf (WA) and Surat Basin (QLD).
LPG can also be obtained as a by-product of the petroleum refining process which produces around 20% of Australian supplies. There are seven local refineries - Mobil Altona (VIC), BP Bulwer Island (QLD), Shell Clyde (NSW), Shell Geelong (VIC), Caltex Kurnell (NSW), BP Kwinana (WA) and Caltex Lytton (QLD) all producing LPG.
Australia has plentiful natural supplies and is a net exporter of LPG.
YES. There are two different grades or blends of LPG and they are not interchangeable. LPG Autogas is for automotive use only and will be a mixture of propane and butane. The other is propane, which can only be used for decanting into small cylinders for caravans, barbecues and camping.
YES. LPG has been used safely in Australia for many decades. The Australian standards for LPG equipment, appliances and their installation and for storage and handling are among the worlds best. Every aspect of the LPG industry is covered by a National Code or Standard and also by similar or additional State Regulations.
The LPG Autogas system in today&rsquos modern vehicle is designed to be safe: safe in use, safe to repair and even safe in a vehicle accident.
The
Autogas system has a number of important safety features
including:
- A 3mm welded steel pressure cylinder which is stress-tested to many times its normal operating pressure prior to being installed;
- Two electronically controlled shut-off solenoids (on cylinder and under bonnet) which stop the flow of gas to the engine if the engine stops for any reason;
- Pressure relief valves for the tank and the system, to prevent any pressure build up that may damage the system, or be hazardous;
- Double back-check valves to ensure gas tight filling;
- Sealed compartments and venting around valves and pipe-work to ensure no LPG enters the interior of the vehicle;
- Approved components to ensure long service life; and
- The support of trained personnel who comply with rigorous Australian Standards for manufacture and installation of the system, in new cars at the production line, or vehicles retrofitted after purchase.
Burning Autogas creates appreciably less carbon dioxide (CO2) than unleaded petrol. CO2 is the most important of the greenhouse gases which are causing long-term climate change. Overall tailpipe emissions can be as much as 80 per cent cleaner using LPG Autogas instead of petrol.
Because LPG Autogas is excise free in Australia, it can be up to 75% cheaper than unleaded petrol. Retail LPG Autogas prices move in a similar manner to petrol prices. Price fluctuations reflect the highly competitive nature of the industry, with retailers discounting products to protect and gain market share at times of low demand.
With Propane and Butane used extensively in Europe and the USA for cooking and heating, demand and therefore prices tend to rise temporarily over the Northern Hemisphere winter period (November through February) but historically have been significantly lower over the remainder of any given year, however average annual autogas pricing will typically be over 50 cents per litre cheaper than petrol.
Additional costs are incurred when transporting LPG Autogas from coastal terminals to outlets in regional inland areas. In addition, smaller volumes are transported to regional areas less frequently than in metro areas, so a higher premium is charged for the service, which is reflected in price per litre. This transport premium could be as much as five times the amount to transport the same volume of petrol to the same regional outlet.
YES. Australia&rsquos Autogas infrastructure has grown a great deal in recent years. There are more than 3,200 outlets across Australia and nearly half of the filling stations are in regional or rural areas. If, for example, you are driving from Sydney to Brisbane via the Pacific Highway, there are 109 autogas outlets on the way. That means that on average, you would pass an Autogas filling station an average of every 9km and the furthest distance between stops is just 72km. Use our LPG Autogas TRIP PLANNER.
The ACT Government provides a 20% discount on the registration fee of privately registered vehicles if they are fitted with an approved LPG Autogas system.
The WA Government provides a $500 subsidy to private motorists for fitment of an LPG autogas system to their vehicles. Visit the WA Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure web site www.dpi.wa.gov.au or CLICK HERE to go directly to the subsidy page.
Last year the Federal Government announced Autogas would remain excise-free until 2011. Even after that date, excise will be gradually applied in annual increments of 2.5 cents per litre until it reaches a ceiling of 12.5 cents per litre in 2015.In comparison, the current excise on petrol in 38.1 cents per litre.
To offset the excise, from July 1st, 2011 until June 30th, 2014 the Federal Government will pay a $1,000 rebate to motorists who purchase a new Autogas-powered vehicle.
Yes, because LPG Autogas has a lower energy value than petrol, fuel consumption when running on LPG Autogas is approximately 20-25% higher than petrol, however with LPG costing up to 75% less than petrol you can look forward to saving up to 50% and possibly more on your fuel costs! Click on this Fuel Savings Calculator
to
see how much you will save.Rest assured that Modern LPG Autogas engine technology provides performance comparable with contemporary petrol-powered engines. On Autogas, torque is available at lower engine revs, which aids driveability &ndash particularly in stop/start city driving. In some cases total torque is actually increased.
Subject to space limitations most unleaded petrol-fuelled vehicles can be converted to LPG Autogas/petrol operation at a reasonable cost. Excellent candidates for conversion include larger capacity 4Cyl. cars, vans,and utility vehicles, most 6Cyl and 8Cyl Cars,Vans , Utility vehicles and of course 4WD's. Typical conversion costs range from $1,850.00 to $3,950.00 depending on the type of vehicle and type of system fitted .However, the costs can be recouped in a relatively short time thanks to the savings made at the pump every time you fill up. Of course, once you recover the initial conversion costs the savings increase quickly!