Future availability of LPG

It is my maybe imperfect understanding that the tank size required for LNG precludes it from general automotive use, especially since the tank must be heavily built and capable of withstanding the -161 Liqification point.

Here is an article in Forbes which gives more information , and really IMHO indicates that we won't see LNG cars in my lifetime.

The venting while idle problem is a biggie and the reason that they say it's for use in long haul trucks.
Should Natural Gas-Powered Cars Run On CNG, LNG ... Or Gasoline? - Forbes

Regards Philip A

I have to buy a new work van,all the existing vans are dual fuel,petrol/LPG.
They have been great,no issues at all,many have done close to 300K.
They use Landi Renzo injection system,which is also very economical.
The same system that is used in the maxi cabs.

Speaking to a few people,they are not confident LPG will be around for the long term,with out some form of incentive from the Govt.

The taxi industry was the biggest user and they are using hybrids,Prius,etc,although the few maxi cabs still use LPG.

We do a lot of work for a guy who owns around 10 service stations,and he is saying not only are sales falling,but margin is also lower than fuel.He is happy not to have it at his garages.

So that means i will have to go to diesel,cost of a diesel van is about the same as a petrol van with the LPG factory fitted.

We generally keep the vans for 6 to 7 yrs.

But actual running costs favour the LPG.

Any thoughts?

i thought "they" were looking to phase out LPG, due to number of engine fires (compared to petrol)

I think LPG will be here for a while yet. There are a few Prius' on gas around.
There are quite a few gas only vehicles around too.
I heard today the sales of 91RON ULP in NSW is down too because it has ethanol in it.

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I heard today the sales of 91RON ULP in NSW is down too because it has ethanol in it.

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so many people dont like ethanol yet why do fuel companies insist in putting it in, and not telling us.

"They" have been predicting the demise of the LPG industry since the beginning of time, I started in it in 1985 and have personally seen plenty of ups and downs. While the recent past hasn't been particularly profitable in this business, a good war or major hurricane in an oil producing area can still flip the switch and make the LPG industry take off.

Two potential LPG drivers (in opposite directions) are

1. the opening of the revamped Panama Canal, due sometime this year, allowing the Yanks to export LPG cheaply into the East Asia region, ie round here.

2. The rise in battery electric vehicles, helped by the Tesla Corporation mass producing lithium batteries, probably not for 5-10 years yet.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

so many people dont like ethanol yet why do fuel companies insist in putting it in, and not telling us.

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Ethanol is mandated by law in NSW for a certain minimum volume of petrol sold. I believe that there is insufficient ethanol available even for NSW that other States don't get as much E10.

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Legislation
To ensure motorists in NSW have choice at the petrol pump, 6% of the total volume of petrol sold in the State must be ethanol.

Fuel suppliers and retailers are required to abide by the Biofuels Act 2007 as well as the Biofuels Regulation 2007.

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Originally Posted by p38arover

Ethanol is mandated by law in NSW for a certain minimum volume of petrol sold. I believe that there is insufficient ethanol available even for NSW that other States don't get as much E10.

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oh wow, im glad that law doesnt exist in SA.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

so many people dont like ethanol yet why do fuel companies insist in putting it in, and not telling us.

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From what I understand, in Vic., ULP has no ethanol but PULP does. The opposite of NSW.
I'm still trying to confirm this.

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Originally Posted by bee utey

"They" have been predicting the demise of the LPG industry since the beginning of time, I started in it in 1985 and have personally seen plenty of ups and downs. While the recent past hasn't been particularly profitable in this business, a good war or major hurricane in an oil producing area can still flip the switch and make the LPG industry take off.

Two potential LPG drivers (in opposite directions) are

1. the opening of the revamped Panama Canal, due sometime this year, allowing the Yanks to export LPG cheaply into the East Asia region, ie round here.

2. The rise in battery electric vehicles, helped by the Tesla Corporation mass producing lithium batteries, probably not for 5-10 years yet.

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Sure that helped quite few years ago,when the majority of vehicles around were petrol 6 and 8 cylinder,think Holden,Ford,4WD's,utes,etc.

These vehicles were large enough to fit tanks to,relatively easy to modify,and it was economically viable.


There were Govt. incentives as well.

Today the vehicle market is totally different,many diesel utes and 4wd,most cars small four cylinder petrol or also diesel.
Fitting LPG to these vehicles would be impracticle, probably impossible,and extremely expensive,therefore not viable.

Sure there will always be enthusiasts around with older vehicles on LPG,but these may not be enough.