LP Gas being considered as alternative fuel for cars

by Franco Aloisio

The cost of petrol is on the increase, while diesel causes environmental harm. Why not use gas as an alternative fuel for your car?

At present, the government is studying whether to introduce a new form of fuel for cars and vehicles - liquefied petroleum gas, known as LP Gas. However, no decision on the matter has been taken, although discussions are underway.

A proposal on the introduction of LP Gas as an automotive fuel in Malta was officially made last February by the LP Gas (Bulk) Distributors Ltd. The company proposed that LP Gas should be used as an alternative fuel for cars.

It recommended that the authorities regulate the introduction of LP Gas, and eventually allow the installation of LP Gas pumps in existing petrol stations.

LP Gas has been used as an automotive fuel for the past 40 years, especially in European countries such as Italy and the Netherlands. In 1994, around four million vehicles in 30 countries around the world were operating on LP Gas.

In the local context, the use of LP Gas is currently limited to seacraft and sea vessels. At present, LP Gas (Bulk) Distributors Ltd supplies LP Gas in bulk to over 300 clients in Malta including major hotels, factories and catering establishments in addition to a number of domestic homes.

LP Gas builds on the advantages over other alternative fuels, and its application is extremely safe, environmentally friendly and cheap. Moreover, the usage of LP Gas leads to a much longer engine life.

Any car can start using LP Gas. To do so, the owner of a vehicle has to install a special fuel conversion kit which costs between Lm300 and Lm400. Once the LP Gas conversion kit is installed, the driver can still switch back to petrol, at his or her own discretion, due to the dual fuel LP Gas/ Petrol system. Several car manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Toyota and Renault are starting to build cars which operate solely on LP Gas.

LP Gas Bulk Distributors Ltd claim that, within the proper regulatory framework, the introduction of LP Gas would constitute a definite step in the right direction in terms of the country's automotive energy requirements.

"Consumer choice and overall benefits alone, to our mind fulfil an important social function played by the LP Gas offer to local motorists, and constitutes another compelling reason for the introduction of LP Gas to Malta sooner rather than later," the company said.