https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/690-7-lpg-conversions-myths-au…
Most website only say good things to the conversation, especially now fuel prices are high
If that is the case where is the best place to do upgrade
I am thinking of getting the local wrecker to get the second hand one that to be the cheapest?
My car is Toyota Tarago 1998
First thing to note - your search may be biased. If you just look for "Why is LPG conversion not worth it?" you'll find articles about why it's not worth it.
Secondly, you should be able to calculate it yourself pretty easily:
- Based on that website a conversion will cost $4000.
- Based on some casual googling, it looks like LPG is about 25% cheaper overall (50% cheaper on average, but 25% less efficient).
- Let's say worst case scenario, you're refuelling your car once a week to full. You have a 75L tank in your car, and let's leave 5L in it at all times.
- Price for fuel is let's say $2.10 a L.
- So you're paying $147 a week, or let's just call it $150.
- You save $37.5 a week in this scenario of a 25% saving, so it would take you $4000/$37.5 = 106 weeks, or about 2 years to pay off a conversion.
You can change the numbers to suit your actual use case here.
I like your analysis. To add further, it is a 1998 year vehicle, it is now 24 years old. How long is the OP hoping to keep the vehicle needs to be considered too.
Just did some maths
If I am doing 30000km city driving in Adelaide might be worth it
In the out back there are almost no station and some station charge 130-180 for LPG
My plan is use it for a camper van so maybe not worth it especially I bought the van for 3000 if anything worng with it I might as well as buy a new van not fixing it
Just don’t waste your money!
One advantage of dual fuel is increased range, but realistically you’re probably not going to use it. It’ll fit far too much to covert to save 20c/l at the occasional outback petrol station.
Other major consideration is the space you’ll lose. Space that is at a premium in a camper.
No.
LPG will eventually be phased out. Majority of servos have already decommissioned their gas bowsers because it’s not making them money.
Back in the good old days it was worth it, but typically only for high usage vehicles.
Now it’s harder to get, and will only get harder to get. Used to be every second servo had gas. Now when I see it on the sign it’s unusual.
You’ll lose efficiency and gain complexity on a vehicle that’s already 25yo. You’d probably be better off putting the price of conversion into a more modern vehicle with better economy.
Might even be better off converting it to hybrid with a Camry or Lexus drivetrain. EV conversions are a reality, but expensive and really only for enthusiasts right now.
You're obviously using the Tarago because it's got a lot of room, the LPG conversion might take up a chunk of storage in the boot (or maybe not I don't know). I would normally say the Kia Carnival Diesel would be a good choice but diesel prices are jacked compared to petrol at the moment.
Really not worth investing money in a car of that age for a conversion. Fitting a second hand gas system could be an even worse idea.
Save your $$$ and put it towards upgrading the car in the next couple of years to something more fuel efficient if petrol prices are a major concern.
No. 20 years ago, I would have said yes, but not now.
I have a dedicated Ford Falcon 2010 on LPG.
Back in the day, yes. Now, a definite no!
You will notice that car manufacturers are no longer releasing LPG vehicles. As per one of the above comments, they are phasing this out.
I do however recall 25 odd years ago when LPG was .199 and ULP was .799…….those were the days.
With dual fuel, you WILL have issues with your car. Being idle issues or even clogged injectors.
Back 20 years ago I was told when converting dad's car that after every tank of LPG should run a tank of petrol. It makes sure the piston rings don't dry out. Had a lot of problems with LPG on a petrol HiAce with idling and getting liquid to gas converter (sometimes would just drop out and leave you stalled and coasting at high speed)
If this was 1998, you did high kilometres, and if you could live the how much room LPG tanks take up in your Tarago then yes good idea. Not any more sadly.
LPG also rising prices and in shortage, so doesn't really avoid price increases :/
Better to convert to Hydrogen ;)
While hydrogen sounds good, it's even more unfeasible than LPG. There are 4 hydrogen filling stations in Australia and Hydrogen is almost as expensive as fossil based fuels.
It would probably be cheaper and easier to convert it to electric… But then again, it's a 24yo car and that money would be better served putting towards a newer, more economical vehicle.
Yup, pretty much.
Better to convert to Hydrogen ;)
Hydrogen actually combines to generate electricity which fills a small battery and run an electric motor link
So you have hydrogen instead of a battery onboard.
Depends on technology, hydrogen is also combustible: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_internal_combustion_e…
Hydrogen ICE vehicles aren’t really going to be a big thing. Just not cheap or efficient enough to warrant their construction.
@7ekn00: Sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone is being serious. (Missed the wink) There’s too many brainwashed bozos around, especially when someone suggests anything to do with fossil fuel alternatives. (If your comment wa sarcastic, you’re not one of them)
We have an old LPG car (converted falcon) - No issues, though hear that LPG burns out the valves unless its a dedicated gas car. In the current climate, I'd convert a car I was going to keep for a long time to LPG.
Not worth it.