Wednesday 10th October 2001

Gassing Grant

Govt LPG subsidy scheme extended to larger range of cars

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[wozie]

i wonder if lpg is as good as petrol in terms of performance and will it take on hydrogen cars which will be available in the next few years ??

[derekmuesli]

Vauxhall fielded an LPG Vectra in the BTCC a few seasons back. It sounded slightly different, but it was always at least in the middle of the field and proved in principle that LPG can come close if not yet match petrol.

So, if I could get it on my car (cos it's crap and not a sports car) for a sensible installation cost, at half the price of Premium, I'd do it.

[m-five]

But don't the BTTC limit power to 300bhp. However you get it, it still equates to the same power.

If you just change your normal motor to LPG the performance loss is about 15% and the economy goes down about 20% - so when the LPG people tell you it's half the cost, they tend not to tell you that to get the same mileage will still be cheaper with LPG, but actually only about a third cheaper overall. That's if you can live with say only 300 instead of 345bhp.

[Nick M (nmilton)]

The Vectra in question was in the one make challenge that ran as part of the BTCC support package, not a full on BTCC touring car.

I believe it may actually have won a race or two but was ineligible for points in the championship.

[smeagol]

The biggest problem with this fuel is the only 900 garages. On the track you can bring your own. On the road what happens if you're in an area which doesn't have LPG.

I still think the best option for environment and fuel economy is the Hybreed cars.

Both systems are not designed for sports cars and the BTCC car I believe was a publicity stunt rather than a real contender.

[mmertens]

I'm not sure where technology stands these days, but in Holland you can get LPG everywhere and many cars run on it. Without exception there is a (very) notable power difference with normal petrol. I've driven a few "normal" (Vectra, Mondeo, & such) LPG cars and you really feel that they have (much) less oomph (you can tell by switching them back to petrol, thy generally have both fuels). As for converting something with 345HP to LPG - I've never heard of any "serious" car like that being converted. If you get that amount of HP in the first place why then reduce it (and give up a significant amount of boot space for the gas tank) for a little bit of economy? In addition, as far as I understand by far not every engine can be run reliably on LPG. Unless technology has significantly progressed the idea of retrofitting a current sports car with LPG is just plainly able.

Edited by mmertens on Thursday 11th October 12:49

[derekmuesli]

quote:
The biggest problem with this fuel is the only 900 garages. On the track you can bring your own. On the road what happens if you're in an area which doesn't have LPG.

900 Garages surely equates to at least 1 within 10 miles of any urban area. There are 2 within a few miles of me. And they're the same two I have to go to to get Optimax, So I have that hassle anyway.

The number of LPG stations will rise, not least because the tax incentives are not inconsiderable for the motorist and the suppliers. Some couriers and county councils routinely use LPG vehicles.

It might not be much good for sportscars but they represent a minority of cars on the road.

On this board, we regularly bemoan those who don't consider the dynamics of their vehicle important - they are the market for this stuff.. and a large one at that.

[big rumbly]

Most gas conversions, are dual fuel, running out is not a problem

[smeagol]

If they are duel fuel then I agree its not a problem, however I'm sure the 900 are not equally spread. I don't know where the garages are (does it come with GPS to help you find them)

I still prefer the petrol electric version. The Toyota I riden in, had good space in the boot and seemed the ideal car for around town and motorway. Plus you don't have to worry about charging or where your nearest LPG station is. It also had excellent fuel economy and zero emmisions when stationary.