LPG
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a mixture of Propane and Butane that comes from oil
refining and natural gas fields. It is a cleaner fuel for the environment than
petrol as it contains less CO2, less oxides of nitrogen, less hydrocarbons and
lower contaminating components such as sulphur. The main advantage of LPG is its
cost. It is cheaper than both petrol and diesel due mainly to the significantly
lower fuel duty imposed by the government.
BACKGROUND
The rate with which LPG has
grown in popularity in recent years is quite remarkable. This is not surprising
as the cost savings can be significant. Currently, the average cost of LPG at a
retail filling station is circa 36p per litre (compared to the typical cost of
unleaded petrol at approx 75p per litre).
To meet this demand, the
network of fuelling stations that supply LPG is growing at a rate of 1 per
day, and this trend looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. There
are currently over 1000 LPG filling stations available nationwide.
The cost benefits are even
better for companies with large fleets that decide to have their own supply of
fuel. Systems can be installed at little or no cost depending on the amount of
fuel to be supplied. Typically such companies would expect to pay around 22.5p
plus VAT per litre for this service.
To encourage the switch to
more environmentally friendly methods of travel, the Government have
introduced several measures:
Powershift Grants
– Customers who wish to convert their vehicles to LPG can get a grant
towards the cost. This makes conversion even more cost effective.
Fuel Duty – The
Government has promised to freeze the duty on LPG until the end of 2004 and
it will continue to keep this special status as long as it remains a viable
and clean source of fuel.
Congestion Charges
– Already,
London has plans to introduce these charges. Also, under a European project
called “Alter”, over 30 of our cities and large towns will be introducing
these schemes. LPG vehicles will be exempt from these charges.
Agenda 21 – This
is a document that makes it incumbent on Councils, Utilities and large
companies to lower their emission levels. LPG helps them achieve this and
also save money.
MODEL
AVAILABILITY
MG Rover Group and EcoGas
Systems Ltd have developed an aftermarket LPG conversion for new and used
(typically less than 12 months old) MG Rover vehicles. Converted vehicles can
switch between petrol and LPG at the touch of a button.
LPG conversions will initially
be made available for 1.8i manual derivatives of Rover 45, Rover 75, MG ZR and
MG ZS.
Work is currently ongoing to
establish the opportunity to prioritise extending availability to more MG Rover
products.
HOW
THE LPG SYSTEM WORKS - A GUIDE TO COMPONENTS INVOLVED
LPG Tank
– An additional LPG tank is fitted in the spare wheel well of the vehicle. The
tank is designed to take high impact collisions and also has many in built
safety systems. The customer will be provided with an Instant Mobility System
that will substitute the need to carry a spare wheel. Customers will still
receive a spare wheel for which an optional wheel bag may be purchased from
Ecogas.
2.
Regulator
– This device regulates the flow of LPG from the tank. The regulator is
connected to the coolant system of the vehicle and allows the liquid gas to
achieve its gaseous state using the heat from this system.
3.
Actuator
– The actuator controls the flow of the gas to the engine.
4.Distributor
– This distributes the gas to the injectors allowing the gas into the engine
inlet manifold.
5. ECU
– The Electronic Control Unit receives information from the vehicles own
electronics system. These signals are used to run the gas system in the same
way as the petrol system.
6.Interface
– This allows the fitting of the gas electronic system to the vehicle system
without the need of cutting wires or interrupting the function of the vehicles
own systems.
7.Switch
– This allows the vehicle to be used on either gas or petrol hence the “bi-fuel”
description given to this system.
WARRANTY &
AFTER SALES
The LPG conversion will be ‘MG
Rover Approved’, carrying full Dealer and LPG system warranty to 3yrs,
compatible with MG Rover’s standard terms.
FURTHER INFORMATION
More information about LPG and
Powershift can be found on the following web sites:
