Is LPG enjoying any success in Ireland?

goochy

was behind a 2002 merc s320 petrol advertising lpg , got me wondering isnt it enjoying much success here ? seem to be more places doing it. few lpg vehicles appear for sale . Harford motor co sold a 2006 discovery 4.4 hse v8 with lpg conversion a while ago - seemed like a great vehicle to run . it would be great if lpg meant that large engined cars could be run economically on a daily basis .

Bandara

goochy wrote: »

was behind a 2002 merc s320 petrol advertising lpg , got me wondering isnt it enjoying much success here ? seem to be more places doing it. few lpg vehicles appear for sale . Harford motor co sold a 2006 discovery 4.4 hse v8 with lpg conversion a while ago - seemed like a great vehicle to run . it would be great if lpg meant that large engined cars could be run economically on a daily basis .

No LPG is not and will not make headway here imo

Its catch 22, stations are never going to stock it to sell as there is zero demand, and as long as its not very easy to buy lpg then people won't buy lpg cars

Electric cars are already miles ahead of them in the consumer infrastructure

Supergurrier

Irish petrol stations don't even bother giving an option of 98/99 octane premium over here can't see they bothering with lpg pumps

jprboy

I pass two stations that supply LPG on my daily commute and am seriously considering a conversion.

I drive a 04 Volvo S40 1.8 petrol, cover at least 30,000 km per year, and intend keeping the car as long as possible as it is very comfortable and has been hugely reliable.

I crunched some numbers last year when petrol was circa €1.50 per litre and reckoned the conversion would pay for itself in one year. Would take a bit longer at current prices but they are on the way back up.

There are some interesting LPG threads in the forum which a simple search will bring up.

RandomAccess

It's a viable option on the Dublin commuter routes, but I can't imagine it will really see mass adoption outside of those.
Whats the range like? Nobody likes having to fill up every other day.

Some manufacturers are selling factory models, that might help lend it credibility.
VW MK7 Golf has a TGi variant. Just needs the infrastructure, marketing, and favourable economics.
Its not that long since there was mass exodus to Diesel, so I think thats demonstrated people will follow the money.

Actually just noticed Golf TGi is CNG, not LPG... it sounds like that could be a betamax/vhs HD-DVD/bluray moment.

jprboy

My regular commute is approx 170 km per day approx 4 days a week and I reckon I would have to refill every 2-2.5 days.

gctest50

RandomAccess wrote: »

.......

Actually just noticed Golf TGi is CNG, not LPG... it sounds like that could be a betamax/vhs HD-DVD/bluray moment.

CNG home refill station n you're away -

http://www.brcgb.co.uk/cng.html

RandomAccess

gctest50 wrote: »

CNG home refill station n you're away -

http://www.brcgb.co.uk/cng.html

Neat little gizmo alright.
Uses mains gas and an electric compressor.
http://www.brcgb.co.uk/phill.html

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

I have had many a mechanic tell me that LPG is not great for the engine of a car even if converted correctly etc.

If i remember it was to do with the lubrication of the engine and the additives in the petrol that help the engine run.

Personally I wouldn't go near it and i've said that before.

Having to go out of my way to find somewhere that sells LPG at a pump, may be cheaper but I believe you fill up more than normal and then the engine damage, again from what im told the engine has to be serviced more often than normal due to LPG.

then theres the insurance side of having LPG in the boot of your car (flammable gas ?) and voiding manufactures warranties etc.

@jprboy - buy a diesel car if your always on motorways etc but otherwise leave it as is.

just my 2c.

unkel

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I have had many a mechanic tell me that LPG is not great for the engine of a car even if converted correctly etc.

Narrow minded mechanics are two a penny

LPG is a cleaner fuel than petrol leaving less residue. Some engines are more suitable than others, but even those that aren't that suitable can have cheap modified solutions

My own mileage is too low, otherwise I would have converted to LPG on several of the cars I have owned recently. Availability of LPG is much better than it used to be (well it is around Dublin) but you would obviously need to check your area before even considering converting...

challengemaster

I don't think I've actually ever seen a LPG pump

Del2005

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

I have had many a mechanic tell me that LPG is not great for the engine of a car even if converted correctly etc.

If i remember it was to do with the lubrication of the engine and the additives in the petrol that help the engine run.

Personally I wouldn't go near it and i've said that before.

Having to go out of my way to find somewhere that sells LPG at a pump, may be cheaper but I believe you fill up more than normal and then the engine damage, again from what im told the engine has to be serviced more often than normal due to LPG.

then theres the insurance side of having LPG in the boot of your car (flammable gas ?) and voiding manufactures warranties etc.

@jprboy - buy a diesel car if your always on motorways etc but otherwise leave it as is.

just my 2c.

We'd an old Princess on LPG years ago. Never gave a bit of bother, if a 70's Leyland can handle gas modern cars shouldn't have any issues


Isn't the reason why LPG hasn't taken off here due to the fact that it's taxed so close to petrol that it takes too long to recover the initial outlay.

pcardin

Del2005 wrote: »

Isn't the reason why LPG hasn't taken off here due to the fact that it's taxed so close to petrol that it takes too long to recover the initial outlay.

Correct.

I have had a number of LPG converted cars in past and still drive one. Got my e36 convertible (thirsty 1.8 engine) converted in october 2013. 40l tank replacing spare wheel, gets me 400 km. I live in Sandyford, LPG pump is in Tallaght. Paid little under 700e for conversion.

jprboy

jprboy wrote: »

I pass two stations that supply LPG on my daily commute and am seriously considering a conversion.

I drive a 04 Volvo S40 1.8 petrol, cover at least 30,000 km per year, and intend keeping the car as long as possible as it is very comfortable and has been hugely reliable.

I crunched some numbers last year when petrol was circa €1.50 per litre and reckoned the conversion would pay for itself in one year. Would take a bit longer at current prices but they are on the way back up.

There are some interesting LPG threads in the forum which a simple search will bring up.

Why not just buy a diesel, actually why on earth are you driving a petrol in the first place at those miles.....madness.

mullingar

As someone who owns a 3.0 LPG'd car, the stuff is great.

There are far too many bad rumors doing the rounds.

Firstly, its a pure clean fuel with no contaminants. The problem with this is that LPG has no natural lubrication so on some cheaper engines it *may* cause the valve seal to damage over a long period of time as it doesn't lubricate the valve seat as petrol normally would. The easy fix for this (which I use) is Flashlube.

Secondly, the supply is chicken and egg. There are around 65 LPG stations in the country and the pumps are never placed with the petrol/diesel, usually are around the side of a petrol station. Linky to list of LPG stations/prices

Thirdly, the performance. There is NO change in performance

Forthly, economy, its brilliant. With LPG at a current average of 75c/litre, this is the equivalent of buying petrol @ 89c/litre (LPG has 18% less energy than petrol). So with petrol currently 1.30ish, thats a 35-40% saving.

Fiftly, All modern LPG installations are 100% NCT friendly and they have a specific test just for it.

Finally, a LPG converted car will always be a "duel fuel" car and you can flick to petrol at any time by pressing a button on the dash so no range anxiety.

mullingar

Del2005 wrote: »

Isn't the reason why LPG hasn't taken off here due to the fact that it's taxed so close to petrol that it takes too long to recover the initial outlay.

No.

LPG only commands 10c/litre excise duty, petrol has 59c/litre, diesel has 48c litre, THEN 23% tax is also applied to these.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/excise/duties/excise-duty-rates.html

pcardin

Mavis Juicy Conga wrote: »

Why not just buy a diesel, actually why on earth are you driving a petrol in the first place at those miles.....madness.

Maybe he doesn't want to do what other men in pub suggest him to do, maybe he doesn't like the horrible smell of diesel, maybe he doesn't want those expensive repairs diesel engines bring with, maybe he can not afford a new diesel car and doesn't want to buy it second hand to discover soon later that engine is fcuked because first owner was an idiot and was driving diesel in city only, because you see everyone must have diesel these days because its few cents cheaper at pump. :pac:

pcardin

pcardin wrote: »

because you see everyone must have diesel these days because its few cents cheaper at pump. :pac:

.......and a lot more economical.

People can do as they please but doing 30,000 km a year in a fairly thirsty petrol car is the equivalent of taking cash from the ATM and throwing it straight into the fire imo.

At half his mileage a diesel would be preferable.

pcardin

Mavis Juicy Conga wrote: »

People can do as they please but doing 30,000 km a year in a fairly thirsty petrol car is the equivalent of taking cash from the ATM and throwing it straight into the fire imo.

More like taking cash from the ATM and spend on hooker than leave cash in pocket and have a **** with right hand. :pac:

Mandzhalas

I have my lpg car converted for last two years. I have saved around 3000 euro in that time. Supply is also great- 3 lpg pumps within 30 min drive here in Co.carlow. It's also only 75 cent a litre
I can't understand why it is not main fuel yet in Ireland.

Foxhole Norman

Mandzhalas wrote: »

I have my lpg car converted for last two years. I have saved around 3000 euro in that time. Supply is also great- 3 lpg pumps within 30 min drive here in Co.carlow. It's also only 75 cent a litre
I can't understand why it is not main fuel yet in Ireland.

Simple fact of the matter there is that cars don't come with LPG from factory so it'll never be a main fuel.

dooroy

My only experience with LPG was many years ago when I converted a 2L Mk 4 Cortina.
At the time I was getting about 70 mls from £10 worth of petrol . I found that £10 of LPG would give me about 110 mls so a huge saving .
One summer I drove the car exclusively on LPG , was using Duckhams oil (green in colour) and when I drained the oil after about 3K it was still green - so the engine runs very clean on LPG .
The guy who fitted it at the time explained that he fitted 'oilers' on some engines who needed it ; but the 2L Ghia engine, being made in Germany , didn't.
The car gave absolutely no trouble , there was a simple switch on the dash to go from petrol to LPG and vice versa . Back then I had no real trouble finding LPG - but as it was so easy to switch to petrol you weren't going to get stuck.
Sold it to a friend of mine eventually and he drove it trouble free for a few more years before selling it on again .

NIMAN

I seriously considered an LPG car as I drive past an equipped petrol station on my daily commute.

Problem was, there was such a shortage of cars here that it would more than likely have meant a trip to the UK to buy. At the time I couldn't be bothered so went diesel again.

Also, did a bit of reading and although you always hear people talking about how cheap it is, the mpg isn't as good and sometimes the savings over a diesel aren't really worth the effort (well with my mileage of 12000 annually).

I also was worried about resale value. Might have struggled to get it sold.

*Kol*

pcardin wrote: »

Maybe he doesn't want to do what other men in pub suggest him to do, maybe he doesn't like the horrible smell of diesel, maybe he doesn't want those expensive repairs diesel engines bring with, maybe he can not afford a new diesel car and doesn't want to buy it second hand to discover soon later that engine is fcuked because first owner was an idiot and was driving diesel in city only, because you see everyone must have diesel these days because its few cents cheaper at pump. :pac:

What nonsense. There are plenty of people driving diesels mostly in the city. Horrible smell? There is no horrible smell from my car. It's nearly 10 cents a litre cheaper at the moment. I can live with doing 800 km a tank.

*Kol*

NIMAN wrote: »

I seriously considered an LPG car as I drive past an equipped petrol station on my daily commute.

Problem was, there was such a shortage of cars here that it would more than likely have meant a trip to the UK to buy. At the time I couldn't be bothered so went diesel again.

Also, did a bit of reading and although you always hear people talking about how cheap it is, the mpg isn't as good and sometimes the savings over a diesel aren't really worth the effort (well with my mileage of 12000 annually).

I also was worried about resale value. Might have struggled to get it sold.

If you fancied an old V8 Discovery or Range Rover they would be good candidates and you wouldn't have to worry about resale. It might even help a bit!!

NIMAN

I'd need to take out a new mortgage for the road tax on one of those babies!