Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

LPG, or Liquefied Petroleum Gas, is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases manufactured during the refining of crude oil, or extracted from oil or gas streams as they emerge from the ground. Also known as Autogas, LPG is widely used as an environmentally friendly automotive fuel, as it produces significantly less emissions than gasoline (including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen). LPG also emits 90% less particulates, in weight, than diesel engines.

Most cars powered by LPG are hybrid vehicles, with tanks for both LPG and gasoline. These vehicles are designed to start up using the gasoline system, after which the gas system cuts in and takes over. There are a number of these hybrid cars available commercially available, including the Volvo S80, the Vauxhall Corsa and the Mitsubishi Shogun, amongst many others. The majority of standard gasoline vehicles can also be converted to use LPG; a second independent fuel system with its own tank is added to the car, often in place of the spare wheel or underneath the vehicle.