In a time when there is a keen focus on protecting the environment and preserving natural resources, the use of autogas as an alternative fuel source continues to gain traction in nations throughout the world. What is autogas? Also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), autogas is the product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
The LPG family consists of several hydrocarbon gases that are liquefied via pressurization and used as fuel. The main advantage of using propane for auto gas as opposed to butane, propylene, ethylene or ethane is that propane works best in cold weather. Propane’s low boiling point (approximately -42°C), ensures the gas will not vaporize in extreme weather conditions.
By far, the most common use for autogas is for fueling automobiles – propane autogas is actually the third-most popular automobile fuel source behind gasoline and diesel. Autogas can also be used in stationary applications such as providing fuel for electrical power generators.
About 98 percent of all autogas used in the world is produced in the United States. However, only about three percent of the approximately 21 million vehicles in the world — including 10 million in Europe — that run on autogas are found in America.
The primary reasons that autogas has yet to attain mass appeal in the U.S. is the the reluctance of many Americans to accept alternative energy sources. Roughly one-half of the world’s autogas consumption occurs in five countries: South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Australia and Poland.
The many benefits of propane autogas include:
Perhaps the best reason to switch to autogas is that it provides an environmentally friendly fuel alternative. Autogas is a clean-burning fuel that produces fewer harmful emissions than gasoline. In fact, autogas is listed as a clean-burning fuel in the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Autogas can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 20 percent, nitrous oxide emissions by up to 40 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 18 percent.
Various auto manufacturers now produce bi-fuel models that can run on autogas, including:
Some vehicles that were not manufactured to run on autogas can easily be converted to do so. Aftermarket autogas conversion kits are available for a cost in the range of $5,000 to $7,000, which can usually be recouped in the form of reduced fuel costs over time. It’s important to make sure any conversion kit is EPA-certified in order to comply with emissions requirements.
The use of autogas is increasing slowly but surely in many parts of the United States. If you’d like to know where to get autogas, there are now approximately 19,500 alternative fuel filling stations across the country, many of which now sell autogas. Use this Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find a station near you.
Foster Fuels has installed multiple autogas dispensing stations to help schools and businesses reduce their fuel costs, while doing their part to protect the environment. All Foster Fuels autogas dispensing stations are installed by our certified technicians, and we also offer training for school bus drivers and maintenance workers so they know how to safely dispense the fuel into their vehicles.
Contact Foster Fuels to learn more about the benefits of autogas today.
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Using propane autogas seems like a great alternative to the usual gasoline most people currently fill their cars with. When making advances like this, the big hurdle to jump is increasing awareness and availability to consumers. Once more people know autogas's benefits and where to find it, more people with the means to do so could make the switch.