LPG and ecology - does the installation of LPG in vehicles have a positive impact on the environment?
Ecology
25 January 2023
LPG and ecology - is LPG an environmentally friendly fuel or is it better to choose diesel? LPG cars are regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport. Why is this and is it really worth investing in an installation? Find out about the emission standards for LPG and the advantages of a car powered by this fuel. Gas-powered cars - the ecology, benefits, installation diagram and possible negative effects of use - you will find all these issues in the article below!
LPG and ecology - what is worth knowing about this fuel?
LPG fuel - what is it? The familiar acronym comes from the English name liquefied petroleum gas. It stands for liquefied petroleum gas, which is made from chemicals such as butane and propane. It is produced during the refining, or purification, of crude oil, which means that it is a by-product. It can also be extracted from natural gas deposits. Naturally, it is a gas, but it assumes liquid form at sufficiently high pressure. This property is exploited when LPG is transported in cylinders.
It is worth knowing that LPG naturally has no colour or smell, but for safety reasons it is given a very distinctive odour. This is so that, in the event of any malfunction or damage, you can immediately smell the gas in the air. It is flammable, so its release can be dangerous. By making the smell detectable at an early stage of release, a mishap can be quickly prevented.
How does the installation of LPG in cars affect the environment? Is gas environmentally friendly?
Car exhaust is one of the biggest environmental hazards. Cars produce huge amounts of harmful chemicals, such as carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the predominant greenhouse gas that, by escaping into the atmosphere, contributes to climate change and promotes global warming. Because of this, more and more car brands are introducing electric cars that run on energy rather than fuel. These vehicles are still quite expensive and charging stations are not yet very widespread, especially in small towns. Those concerned about the fate of the planet are therefore looking for alternatives to harmful diesel. Many people are asking themselves whether LPG fuel is environmentally friendly.
LPG exhaust emissions are noticeably less harmful to the environment compared to diesel or petrol. Compared to the latter, LPG has up to several tens of per cent less carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. LPG fuel is also much poorer in hydrocarbons. The gas produces far fewer harmful compounds than burning coal or wood, which is why it is used not only as a diesel fuel, but also in heating systems, among other things.
LPG - ecology makes it clear that this gas is a much more favourable option than the petrol normally used in cars, which is why you should opt for an LPG installation in your car. Whatever car you have, you can change the way it is powered just for gas. Depending on the make of car, this may prove more or less expensive, but it is possible. An LPG installation usually costs several thousand zloty, which will pay off later during use, as LPG is cheaper than regular petrol. It is advisable to have the installation carried out by a professional, and then remember to have it checked from time to time.
Are there any negative effects of using LPG fuel on the ecology?
You are probably no longer in doubt about whether gas cars are environmentally friendly, but it is also worth mentioning whether they have any negative environmental effects. It turns out that the biggest danger is the LPG system explosions that sometimes occur. Gas is flammable and therefore can also lead to explosions. However, nothing happens without a cause. A well-installed system from an experienced installer, subjected to regular maintenance, has no right to explode on its own. Such situations may arise, for example, if an amateur installer makes a lot of mistakes during the installation.
Ecologically, the consequences of an explosion can be dangerous. Objects or objects next to the car may be damaged, so they will need to be repaired or new ones purchased. In addition, an explosion could develop into a larger fire, releasing greenhouse gases and harmful compounds into the atmosphere. However, don't let this stop you from installing LPG in your car as, when properly made and serviced, it poses no risk.
Which is greener - LPG or diesel?
It has already been proven whether the gas car is environmentally friendly. Some people wonder how it is with diesel. The engine of such a car runs not on petrol, but on diesel. However, it turns out that this too has a negative impact on the environment and emits harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, if you are still wondering which fuel is the most environmentally friendly, the answer is simple - LPG. Although gas burns faster than petrol or diesel, its much lower price still allows you to save a lot of money. Particularly if you are travelling on long-distance journeys. You use petrol to start the car anyway, but on the road the car already uses only LPG. Burning gas cars is therefore less harmful to the planet.
Why invest in an LPG system?
LPG is the greenest fuel currently available on the market. There are plenty of benefits to installing LPG in your car. Here are some of them:
- Compared to another fuel, such as petrol, LPG emits far fewer harmful greenhouse gases that end up in the atmosphere. This is very important because it is these gases that contribute to global warming and the ongoing climate crisis. Any action to reduce their production (including the installation of LPG) contributes to saving the Earth and preventing weather and climate anomalies that are becoming more intense;
- LPG is significantly cheaper than petrol or diesel. The price of gas is usually half that of petrol at filling stations in Poland or Europe. Thanks to the low cost of propulsion of the car, there is a chance for a quick return on investment in the installation, especially if long routes are covered;
- An LPG car is much quieter than those running on petrol;
- You don't have to invest in an expensive electric car to drive ecologically. For a few thousand zloty you can carry out an LPG installation in almost any car, even older ones. This is an excellent option to save money and proves that you do not need to spend tens or even hundreds of thousands on a modern car to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- You can always switch to petrol-powered driving if you run out of gas. This allows you to make long journeys without having to stop for refuelling;
- LPG extends the life of the engine because the gas form does not wash away engine oil as quickly as petrol.
Is a gas car environmentally friendly? Definitely yes! Summarising all the benefits mentioned above, it is clear that it is not only environmental considerations that speak for having an LPG system fitted to your car. 
Disadvantages of installing LPG in a car
LPG - lower emissions than petrol cars and many other advantages speak in favour of this solution. However, it is worth pointing out some of the downsides that come with owning a car with LPG. These are:
- In some underground car parks it is not possible to park a car with an LPG system. This poses the risk of an explosion which, although unlikely, could nevertheless happen. The absence of LPG cars in underground car parks is intended to prevent the consequences of explosions under residential or commercial buildings;
- The gas tank is located in the boot, which reduces the amount of space for carrying other things, such as shopping or suitcases. Much depends on the design of the car in this case. In some cars, the boot is large enough that this is not a problem, but it can prove problematic in vehicles with a small boot;
- LPG cars require slightly higher charges than those running on petrol;
- Such a car needs to be inspected more frequently by a mechanic and the cost of the annual inspection is higher than the standard one.
LPG and emissions - despite the indicated disadvantages to be reckoned with when installing LPG, the environmental and cost-saving benefits far outweigh them. However, if you live on a housing estate with underground parking and you know you will not be able to park there, it is worth considering.
Diagram of the LPG installation in a car
In order to use environmentally friendly fuel for cars, it is necessary to install an LPG system in the car. It may be a little more difficult and costly in Japanese-made vehicles, which are not very well adapted to gas. Nevertheless, the system can be fitted to almost any car. The entire system supplying LPG to a car's engine consists of the following components:
- Controller - the component responsible for the metering of LPG and the timing of its delivery to the engine;
- MAP sensor - the sensor that controls the LPG pressure;
- Filter - cleans the gas of any impurities;
- Gas regulator - has several functions, such as regulating gas pressure;
- Injectors - inject the correct amount of gas into the engine;
- Gas tank - located where the extra wheel is stored or in the boot;
- Filler - the place from which the gas is supplied to the car;
- Multi-valve - controls the amount of gas in the tank when recharging it so that there is not too much.
Now you are no longer in doubt about whether LPG is environmentally friendly. LPG - emissions are significantly lower than petrol, so if you are considering it, there are many reasons in favour. LPG emission standards comply with all tests and allow for safe and economical transport.
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