Can it be used legally?

                                         The use of LPG as an automotive fuel has become legal in India with effect from April 24, 2000  within the prescribed safety terms and conditions. Hitherto, the thousands of LPG vehicles running in some Indian cities have been doing so illegally by using domestic LPG cylinders, a very unsafe practice. Using domestic LPG cylinders in automobiles is still illegal. But Gas Energy's Auto LPG conforms to Indian Standard specification No. IS 14861 as amended by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Use in Motor Vehicles) Order, 2001 and the Auto LPG Tanks fitted in our Gas Conversion Centres conform to IS 14899 and has been fixed permanently in the manner prescribed in the Automotive Industry Standard AIS 025, 026 and 027 that has been approved by the Chied Controller of Explosives, under the Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981 for storage and transport of automotive liquefied petroleum gas.

 How green is LPG

                                   LPG impacts greenhouse emissions less than any other fossil fuel when measured through the total fuel cycle. LPG is a clean burning, high octane, environment friendly fuel with success in the domestic sector. It generated no smoke of fumes. It emits extremely low levels of Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons and Nitrogen Oxides. It emits virtually no Sulphur Oxide and no particular matter. Conversion of Petrol to LPG helps substantially reduce air pollution caused by vehicular emitions.

  What classes of vehicles are suited to use LPG as fuel ?

                              LPG can easily be used in trucks, buses, LCVs, MUVs, passenger cars and three wheelers like CNG, it is not easily adapted to two wheelers. Since engines using gas operate at far higher temperature. than those using conventional fuels do, new engines rather than converted engines better serve heavy freight and passenger vehicles. Frequent breakdowns of CNG converted buses in Delhi are testimony to this fact.

   Does usage of LPG necessitate sacrificing power?

                              Not at all Unlike CNG where engine power reduces upto 20% due to gas carburetors. LPG can be used similarly to diesel with liquid sequential multi point fuel injection. Also since it is pressurized at a mere 5 - 7 bars, LPG does not require drag inducing heavy tanks that is the bane of CNG. In CNG as quantity reduces in the tank with usage engine power also reduces simultaneously and pressure creating systems have to be installed in order to maintain engine power at optimum levels (therapy increasing the cost of conversion to CNG. On the other hand, LPG doesn't face this problem of power education right until the last drop is consumed. This characteristic of LPG can even be witnessed inside the kitchen - the flames on a cooking range using LPG burn with the same intensity throughout - when the cylinder is full and when it is almost empty.

How safe is LPG in automobiles ?

                              Unlike CNG, which is pressurized at 200 bars, LPG is pressurized at just 5-7 bars, which makes it as safe as conventional fuels. The automotive use of LPG has an excellent safety record and various crash tests and fire tests have proved that, owing to the strength and integrity of the fuel tank, it is safer than petrol and on a par with diesel. The conversion of vehicles to LPG has, of course, to be undertaken by a competent person working in accordance with the prescribed standards.

What are the logistics and distribution hassles for LPG ?

                             None that cannot be easily surmounted LPG is easily transportable and can be stored in stand - alone facilities. Unlike CNG, it does not require an elaborate and expensive pipeline network for its distribution. Dispensing equipment is simple and can be operated with minimum support infrastructure in quick time. Unlike in stand alone CNG filling stations, filling time of LPG does not increase proportionately with the decreasing quantity of the fuel in the storage tank. Regulations specify that LPG tankage & dispensers should be at a safe distance from other fuels, so smaller fuel stations may not be able to stock and dispense LPG in addition to diesel and petrol . However, LPG fuel stations do not require elaborate infrastructure and can be built in quick time for e.g.the average cost of an LPG dispensing station is $65,000 while the cost of a CNG dispensing station is $700,000 including pipeline costs.

Some major advantages of LPG over CNG

                              For the same volume, LPG requires a tank that is 1/3 times that of CNG. The additional cost of LPG powered buses versus diesel vehicles is less at USD 21,000 for LPG for CNG it is USD 33,000
                     The filling time for LPG is same as petrol and diesel, in comparison to the major problem posed by CNG, where pressure reduces when levels decrease.
It has got a better calorific power in terms of Mega Joules per Kilogram (CNG-47.7,LPG-66.1)

  How has LPG fared in other countries?

                    
                             The record speaks for itself. There are around 4 million vehicles in several countries around the world using LPG as automotive fuel, supported by 21,000 dispensing stations. Turkey has the maximum number of vehicles running on LPG (around 1,100,000)followed by Italy (10,00,000) Australia (around 490,000) North America (around 400,000) and the Netherlands (around 360,000) In Japan, almost all the taxis run of Auto LPG and the country has the highest usage of Auto LPG in the world.

Reasons for LPG's popularity abroad.

Driving range is equivalent to Gasoline
Engines last longer
Refueling infrastructure is affordable and in most countries the fuel is less expensive
Auto LPG reduces vehicle exhaust emissions, engine vibration and noise levels while providing economical performance.
It reduces oil consumption and waste oil is less toxic than from a gasoline engine car.
 

Which are the user segments that are going to benefit from LPG?

     
                         Initially it would be most advantageous for fleet owners to go for LPG. Thus Govt. Departments, corporations, hotels, car rentals, taxis and auto rickshaw fleets, etc, will be the first to adopt LPG and reap the economic benefits of using it. As LPG infrastructure comes up, automobile manufactures will see growing demand from individuals as well. Finally, growing environmental concerns in our cities will prompt governments to go in for bus with new engines capable of optimally utilizing LPG.
                         Transportation Department on pipeline network Easily transported by road tankers like liquid fuels.
                         Distribution Dependent on pipeline networks Supplies delivered by road tankers liquid fuels.
                         Network Establishment Longer lead time due to pipeline laying Easy to develop, lead time of hardly three months for each facility.