Bi-Fuel / LPG Dacias
Discussion
I’ve seen Dacia are selling brand new bi-fuel Dusters and Sanderos, are they the only manufacturer selling brand new cars with an LPG option?
LPG is rarely talked about when talking about eco-choices, so are they no better than petrol / diesel. When I see the headline rates of 60p per litre - I think there’s gotta be a massive catch else how come they never really took off?
Does it work just like a normal petrol pump from a practical point of view, ie pull up, plug in and 5 mins later you’re driving out with a full tank?
LPG is rarely talked about when talking about eco-choices, so are they no better than petrol / diesel. When I see the headline rates of 60p per litre - I think there’s gotta be a massive catch else how come they never really took off?
Does it work just like a normal petrol pump from a practical point of view, ie pull up, plug in and 5 mins later you’re driving out with a full tank?
Downsides:
- It fills a little more slowly, but nothing major.
- The vehicle will get a lower mpg under LPG, it depends on a few things but the figures quoted are 10-20%, I never worked it out on my car because I ran it on LPG 99% of the time.
- You may lose boot or spare wheel space if it's a conversion. If it's factory-fitted then presumably it goes where the fuel tank is, and you get a smaller fuel tank perhaps?
- The number of LPG stations seems to be in a steady decline.
Upsides:
- You save a shedload of money. 2nd hand converted cars are often the same price as a petrol version so it's instant savings. Even when paying outright the payback time is pretty quick for thirstier cars.
- It fills a little more slowly, but nothing major.
- The vehicle will get a lower mpg under LPG, it depends on a few things but the figures quoted are 10-20%, I never worked it out on my car because I ran it on LPG 99% of the time.
- You may lose boot or spare wheel space if it's a conversion. If it's factory-fitted then presumably it goes where the fuel tank is, and you get a smaller fuel tank perhaps?
- The number of LPG stations seems to be in a steady decline.
Upsides:
- You save a shedload of money. 2nd hand converted cars are often the same price as a petrol version so it's instant savings. Even when paying outright the payback time is pretty quick for thirstier cars.
Gareth79 said:
Downsides:
- It fills a little more slowly, but nothing major.
- The vehicle will get a lower mpg under LPG, it depends on a few things but the figures quoted are 10-20%, I never worked it out on my car because I ran it on LPG 99% of the time.
- You may lose boot or spare wheel space if it's a conversion. If it's factory-fitted then presumably it goes where the fuel tank is, and you get a smaller fuel tank perhaps?
- The number of LPG stations seems to be in a steady decline.
Upsides:
- You save a shedload of money. 2nd hand converted cars are often the same price as a petrol version so it's instant savings. Even when paying outright the payback time is pretty quick for thirstier cars.
I ran an S70LPT on LPG for 13+ years which ended about 4 years back. I loved it. The biggest problem is that LPG stations seem to be slowly vanishing. You do loose (well I did) most of your boot space if you do as I did and put as large a tank as I could in the car along with 2 amplifiers - I could fit a suitcase in the boot afterwards (and not a big one)- It fills a little more slowly, but nothing major.
- The vehicle will get a lower mpg under LPG, it depends on a few things but the figures quoted are 10-20%, I never worked it out on my car because I ran it on LPG 99% of the time.
- You may lose boot or spare wheel space if it's a conversion. If it's factory-fitted then presumably it goes where the fuel tank is, and you get a smaller fuel tank perhaps?
- The number of LPG stations seems to be in a steady decline.
Upsides:
- You save a shedload of money. 2nd hand converted cars are often the same price as a petrol version so it's instant savings. Even when paying outright the payback time is pretty quick for thirstier cars.
Don't forget another downside, less availability going forwards. Shell have recently pulled it from all their forecourts.
https://forecourttrader.co.uk/latest-news/shell-te...
Not helped by the stupidity of it's users ?
https://www.calor.co.uk/news-and-views/calor-conce...
https://forecourttrader.co.uk/latest-news/shell-te...
Not helped by the stupidity of it's users ?
https://www.calor.co.uk/news-and-views/calor-conce...
This is mine. It’s a Duster in Comfort Spec with bi fuel from the factory. I purchased it as a pre reg demo 6 weeks ago. List price is £15995, I paid £11200 at 5 months and 2500 miles.
It is a 3 cyl 999cc all alloy twin Cam Turbo and 100hp. It has a full size fuel tank and a 38 litre LPG tank under the boot floor so no impact on boot space and a combined range of 750/800 miles. The LPG MPG is about 41/44 mpg. I have LPG available within 1.5 miles for 61ppl but am working across the midlands and pay between 45 and 50ppl. This equates to an equivalent of 115mpg when measured against petrol. The car is fast and comfortable. It starts on petrol and switches to LPG seamlessly.
An example of savings is yesterday I put 34 litres in it at a cost of £16.71. Petrol would’ve cost £40.80. In 6 weeks I have never run on petrol. I have covered 2500miles in Herefordshire,Worcestershire,Shropshire,Wiltshire and the West Mids. There are several apps available.
Most stations are aimed at taxi drivers so they pump the fuel for you. In and out in 4/6 mins usually.
Mikebentley said:
In 2500 miles my Duster has cost £138.50 against a petrol cost that would have been £300.00 allowing for a reduced efficiency on LPG of 10%.
You really can't argue with that. As a factory fit option that it's all win.Retro fitting to a car like that would dependent on your mileage, you'd have to travel a bloody long way to cover the cost in something that already does 40+mpg
dave_s13 said:
Mikebentley said:
In 2500 miles my Duster has cost £138.50 against a petrol cost that would have been £300.00 allowing for a reduced efficiency on LPG of 10%.
You really can't argue with that. As a factory fit option that it's all win.Retro fitting to a car like that would dependent on your mileage, you'd have to travel a bloody long way to cover the cost in something that already does 40+mpg
Mikebentley said:
It’s a £400 option across their range but by buying pre reg I saved over 30% off new price. They even contributed £500 towards it and two free services if I took a bit of finance which I will settle shortly. I put £5k down so only £52pm. My old leased diesel van + fuel for the same period would have cost £730. The Duster cost £205. It has saved me £525 over 6 weeks and is a really nice steer. Reversing camera, Apple Car Play, SatNav etc.
Really a no brainer at that price.I really rate Dacia dusters and will be trying to steer my in laws away from a long line of ford focii when it's time to change, which is coming soon I think
I’m a car person, everything from a Reliant Robin to a Rolls Royce interests me. We have a V90. 1967 2.0 L Vitesse and XK140 FHC. I’m going to get a 5yr old Range Rover this summer then possibly a V8 Mustang. I don’t want to regret not doing so when I’m older (now 53). The “Mighty” Duster is a fantastic car which I can see me keeping for a very long time. LPG use is really easy using one of the app’s available. It’s a bit like an EV but with the back up of a petrol tank.
Mikehig said:
What's the position of LPG for low emission zones? I imagine it is better than diesel?
Yes it's far better then petrol even, but I don't think ULEZ recognise LPG retrofits as there's obviously no official declaration of reduced emissions aside from the token VED reduction (the apparent opposite in fact in the UK - the MOT emissions test is more lax when running LPG - I only have to achieve non-cat standards on my car which pretty much any car that isn't smoking heavily can achieve) & ULEZ may not even recognise LPG factory fits - i'm not sure.The Dacia might be the only bi fuel car we get in the UK. I did think you could get some Fiat's bifuel but they might be sold in the EU markets only.
As mentioned, the biggest problem is the dwindling number of LPG pumps. If it works for you then it's great & the savings are real & significant.
I'm lucky to have a filling station with it 5 minutes from me so have run all manner of cars on it (3 series BMWs, Grand Cherokees and currently a Range Rover)
All mine were retrofitted by previous owners so no upfront cost and as said market price is rarely any different to non converted variants. I love it!
I get around 17mpg on LPG and 19ish on Petrol. I have an 80L tank where the spare wheel would have gone plus the normal 100L petrol tank so no range anxiety. I can normally get where I need to and back on LPG and if I run out, it beeps once and I'm onto petrol without the slightest change in engine power, note or revs. I never really understood why it isn't more popular. Taxis around here used to run it when Volvo and I believe Vauxhall at some point did factory versions?
All mine were retrofitted by previous owners so no upfront cost and as said market price is rarely any different to non converted variants. I love it!
I get around 17mpg on LPG and 19ish on Petrol. I have an 80L tank where the spare wheel would have gone plus the normal 100L petrol tank so no range anxiety. I can normally get where I need to and back on LPG and if I run out, it beeps once and I'm onto petrol without the slightest change in engine power, note or revs. I never really understood why it isn't more popular. Taxis around here used to run it when Volvo and I believe Vauxhall at some point did factory versions?
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff