Alternative

Fuel
Autogas (LPG)

By Dipl. Kaufmann (FH) Ralf Ortmayr

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 1 / 55

 Alternative fuels depend on the
difference in gas and petrol prices
Gas prices in Germany
Peaks:
1. 1974-1975
• 1979-1981
• 1999-2000
• 2005-2008
• future?

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 2 / 55

Overview of all types of fuel

Alternatives for Diesel-engines
a) Bio diesel b) Plant oil

Alternatives for Otto-engines

a) Natural gas/biogas b) Autogas (LPG)

c) Ethanol fuel d) Hybrid car

Other alternatives
a) Electric power system b) Hydrogen*
c) Fuel cell* d) Synthetic fuels*
*) not available for consumers
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 3 / 55
Overview of the tax on fuels
Biodiesel
70
Plant oil
65
60
Ethanol fuel
50
Natural Gas
47
40
Biogas

30
Autogas

20
Petrol
18 18
10 12 Diesel
10

0 0 0
Petroleum tax in Cent per liter

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 4 / 55

Overview of filling stations
16.000 Biodiesel

14.000 14800 Plant oil

12.000
Ethanol fuel
10.000
Natural Gas
8.000
Biogas
6.000

Autogas
4.000 5350

2.000
Petrol/Diesel

0 1200 300 250 844 3

Number of filling stations in Germany

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 5 / 55

Overview of registered cars
350.000 Biodiesel

300.000 320000 Plant Oil

250.000 Ethanol Fuel

200.000 Natural Gas

150.000 Biogas

100.000 Autogas

75000
50.000 E-Hybrid

0 10000 20000 16000 0 15000

Number of vehicles in Germany

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 6 / 55

 Alternatives for Otto-engines

Natural gas/ biogas (CNG= Compressed Natural Gas)
methane/biomethane (straw, grass, plant remains,slurry)
qualities:
H (High caloric gas) 87-99,1 Vol % methane
L (Low caloric gas) 79,8 und 87 Vol % methane

Autogas (LPG)
propane/butane- from natural gas fields or oil wells
qualities : 95/5 (also used for heating)
60/40 or 40/60 (winter or summer)

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 7 / 55
 Diffference between Autogas
(LPG) and Natural Gas (CNG)‫‏‬
LPG: CNG:

Propane/Butane
Methane

Liter
Kg/m3

8-10 bar
200-300 bar

Transportation via
Transportation via
lorries, trains, pipelines (or liquefied
pipelines or ships on ships: LNG)
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 8 / 55
 Overview of all types of fuel

Autogas
mixture
- Winter:
60/40
- Summer:
40/60
- No law
regulates
the
mixture in
Germany

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 9 / 55


Autogas
mixture
- Correct
temperature
and pressure
are important
for the power
of the vehicle

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 10 / 55

 Number of gas powered vehicles
300.000
LPG CNG

250.000

200.000

150.000

100.000

50.000

0
1976*
1978*
1980*

1983*
1984*

1986*
1987*
1988*
1989*

1992*
1993*
1994*

1996*
1997*
1998*
1999*
2000*
1975

1981
1982

1985

1990

1995

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
* estimated values, source: KBA, erdgasfahrzeuge.de, own calculations
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 11 / 55
 Number of gas filling stations
7.000
6500

6.000
5350

5.000

4100
4.000

3200
3.000

2000
2.000

850 950
1100 650 725 764 820
1.000

650 20 72 44 250 250

0
1981 1991 2001 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009* 2010**

* till August ** estimated

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 12 / 55

Gas powered vehicles
Which vehicles are powered by LPG?

Cars

Lorries

Buses

Forklifts

Motorcycles

Boats

Others (Lawn mowers, street cleaners etc.)‫‏‬

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 13 / 55

Gas powered vehicles
Which engines can be powered by LPG?

Otto-engines: various motors possible

Turbo engines: various motors possible

TFSI/FSI engines: some motors possible

Wankel engines: some motors possible

Diesel-engines: in theory possible but not common in
Germany (30/70 mixture).
Possible for lorries and buses!

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 14 / 55

Gas powered vehicles
What are the benefits for the environment?

CO2 (Carbon dioxide): 10 -18% less than petrol

CO (Carbon monoxide): 10 - 40% less than petrol

NOx (Nitric oxide): 10 - 25% less than petrol and
about 80% less than diesel

PM (particles): almost none

HC (hydrocarbon emissions): 0- 7% less than petrol

source: KBA, own calculation

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 15 / 55

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 16 / 55

Well to Wheel comparison: Autogas/ Petrol

source: www.daimler.com/go/optiresource
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 17 / 55

Well to Wheel comparison: CNG 1000 km/ Autogas

source: www.daimler.com/go/optiresource
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 18 / 55

Well to Wheel comparison: CNG 7000 km/ Autogas

source: www.daimler.com/go/optiresource
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 19 / 55
Worldwide usage of LPG in cars

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info

source: WLPGA, AEGPL
20 / 55
Technological terms
Which gas - systems are available?

Venturisystem

Vaporiser system‫‏‏‬

Liquid injection system

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 21 / 55

Manufacturers of gas systems
1. AG 10. Emmegas 19. OMVL (1%)
2. Aldesa 11. Femitec (1%) 20. Prins (28%)‫‏‬
3. Autronic (1%) 12. Frontgas (2%) 21. Prince (3%)‫‏‬
4. Bedini 13. ICOM (5%) 22. Stargas (4%)‫‏‬
5. BiGas (2%) 14. KME (4%) 23. Tartarini (5%)‫‏‬
6. BRC (12%) 15. Landi (2%) 24. Teleflex (1%)‫‏‬
7. CARGAZ 16. Landi Renzo (9%) 25. Vialle (5%)‫‏‬
8. Elpigas 17. Lovato (2%) 26. Voltran
9. Elgaro 18. Öcotec (1%) 27. Zavoli (4%)‫‏‬

(%) market share if above 1% of 11 467 users from www.gas-tankstellen.de

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 22 / 55

Technological terms

ECE-norm
- ECE-R 115: Engineer standards for authorisation
before installation of gas systems
(after the conversion no inspection of the Technical
Control Board (TÜV,DEKRA,KÜS) is necessary.

- ECE-R 67: Each component of the gas system will

be certified and a certificate of the exhaust emissions
(German: Abgasgutachten) must be given.
(German: Einzelabnahme nach §21 StVZO)‫‏‬

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 23 / 55

Technological terms
Which parts are used?

Switch

Vaporiser

Control box

Injectors

Gas filter

Gas tank

Other parts

Source: Landi Renzo

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 24 / 55
Technological terms

The switch
- Indicates the operation
mode (gas or petrol)‫‏‬
- Automatic change from
petrol to gas (the moment
cooling water reaches 30
degrees Centigrade)‫‏‬
- When the gas tank is
empty the mode will change
back to petrol automatically

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 25 / 55

Technological terms

Vaporiser
- Is heated with cooling water
- Most of the systems change from petrol mode to gas
mode when the cooling water is 30 degrees to
prevent icing of the vaporiser
- The liquid gas will be changed to gaseous gas

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 26 / 55

Technological terms

Control box
- Own control box is needed for
the gas operation mode
- Calculation of the right
volume of gas
- Control box is set up with
software and computer

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 27 / 55

Technological terms

Injektors
- Inject gas (according to system in liquid or
gaseous form) in the intake pipe of each
cylinder
- Important: correct volume at the correct
moment

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 28 / 55

Technological terms

Filter interval:
- Main filter every
20.000 km
- Filter in liquid phase
60.000 km (interval
depends on
instructions from
manufacturer)‫‏‬

The exchange must be entered in the maintenance booklet!

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 29 / 55
Technological terms

Gas tank
-Toroidal
(also horizontal)‫‏‬

- Cylindrical

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 30 / 55

Technological terms
- Underfloor

Important: Gas tanks must only be filled 80%

(automatic stop)‫‏‬
e.g: 77 liters gross = 63 liters net
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 31 / 55
Technological terms

Additives
- Flash Lube
(about 1 liter per 1.000 liter of Autogas)‫‏‬
- Tunap

- Added in drops to the gas

- Considered as mandatory by some manufacturers or
insurance companies.

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 32 / 55

Technological terms

LPG - Connection
1. Side
2. Integrated in fuel tank
3. On or below bumper

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 33 / 55

Technological terms

Two ways of filling up with LPG

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 34 / 55

Technological terms

Gas nozzle and adapter
- ACME: D, B, IRL, L, CH
- DISH: D (South), A, CH, I, F,
GR, HR, PL, SK, CR, S
- BAJONETT: NL, GB, N, ES

European nozzle is planned but not

agreed on as standard yet!
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 35 / 55
Filling up
What must be done?

1. Switch off the engine

2. No open fire
3. No mobile phone
4. After the filling up
disconnect the hose
from the car!

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 36 / 55

Filling up
Which steps must be taken?
1. Open fuel tank cap
2. Put gas nozzle on
adapter/LPG-
connection
3. Push button (dead
man`s control)‫‏‬
4. Filling stops
automatically
5. Release button
6. Disconnect nozzle
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 37 / 55
Filling up
Is it allowed to drive into underground parking
lots?

Generally allowed

Mind notices to stay out of private property.

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 38 / 55

What kind of car?

Second hand /used car

New car

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 39 / 55

Second hand cars

Second hand car market
(car dealers, internet, newspaper)‫‏‬

Conversion of own car
car must run in petrol mode without problems

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 40 / 55

Second hand LPG-cars

User check list (www.vipp-info.de)‫‏‏‬
- Mechanic listed at Chamber of Trade
- Mechanic's invoice (must be devided into mechanic's
salary and car parts)‫‏‬
- Users' manuals and service booklets
- Ask your importer, manufacturer or the LPG-
organisation for addresses
- Your mechanic must have done a professional and
certified training course

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 41 / 55

Second hand LPG-cars

Necessary steps for successful
conversion
- Parts of the gas system including gas tank
- Gas system installing check
(German: Gassystemeinbauprüfung, GSP)‫‏‬
- Check of the gas system
(German: Gasanlagenprüfung, GAP)‫‏‬
- Certificate of Technical Control Board
- Warranty 24 months
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 42 / 55
Second hand LPG-cars

Options (might lead to additional cost):
- Adapter
- Additive (Flash Lube/Tunap)‫‏‬
- Anti- puncture kit
- Additional warranty for the motor etc.
- Offer of rental car for time of conversion (about 2-3
days)
Remember to inquire about the possible additional cost
for the maintenance of your gas system!

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 43 / 55

 New cars with LPG

16 manufacturers offer
about 100 types with LPG
systems and warranty
Cadillac Lada
Chevrolet Mazda
Citroën Mitsubishi
Fiat Opel
Ford Subaru
Hyundai Renault
Jeep Volvo
Kia VW
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 44 / 55
Useful advice for driving with
LPG:

How to find a suitable filling station?

POIs in GPS (www.gas-tankstellen.de)

Search via WAP/ E-mail/ SMS

Maps/ Road atlases

Financing of the conversion:

If you decide to finance the system with a
bank loan you can repay your bank with
instalments i.e. the money saved in petrol
cost.
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 45 / 55
Statistics:

Source www.gas-tankstellen.de

94 % of all LPG-cars have been converted

On average the conversion takes place at
81 000 km i.e. 6,3 years after the registration date

90 % of all drivers are satisfied with the range (on
average 450 km)‫‏‬

98 % of all drivers would again choose a LPG car
(14 073 of 14 293 participants in the survey)‫‏‬

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 46 / 55

Future: Shell Eco Marathon

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info source:Shell 47 / 55

Future: Shell Eco Marathon

– 2009: 10 out of 202 teams started with cars

powered by LPG
– 7 out of 122 cars reached the finish line:
8 rounds within 51 minutes and a minimum
of 30km/h and a total of 25,485 km
– Two classes: prototypes and urban concept

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 48 / 55

Future: Shell Eco Marathon
– Prototypes: Winner 3771 km/liter petrol
# 10: LPG 2380 km/liter- 1 g CO2/km
France: Lycée Marcel Callo Redon
# 47: LPG 617 km/liter – 3,7 g CO2/km
Germany: Nicolaus August Otto Berufskolleg

– Urban concept: Winner 1246 km/liter

hydrogen
# 3: LPG 568 km/liter- 4,7 g CO2/km
Denmark: Technical University of Denmark
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 49 / 55
Future: LPG-Hybrid Cars

Hyundai Elentra: Electric - LPG hybrid car

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info Source: Hyundai 50 / 55

Future: LPG-Hybrid Cars

Source: Hyundai
© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 51 / 55
Future: LPG Cars without
petrol tank
– Project CO2 -100 by Hochschule für
Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW) in
Saarbrücken
– Hyundai i10 was converted with a
Vialle gas system and the petrol tank
was removed. The car is only powered
by LPG.

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 52 / 55

What needs to be improved:

One standard of filling nozzle (Euronozzle)‫‏‬

One standard of gas mixture in central
Europe

Better checks of used cars

Official list of approved mechanics

More gas stations

More cars with LPG system on board

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 53 / 55

Literature sources and links

Literature:
- Autogas Journal
- LPG Gids (The Netherlands)‫‏‬
- Map from LPG organisation

Links:
- www.autogas-online.de - www.autogas-journal.de
- www.gas-tankstellen.de - www.autogasblog.info

Copyright Ralf Ortmayr 54 / 46

Questions or comments?

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 55 / 55