What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Why don't we see more LPG vehicles?
I had a 3.2 Touareg converted to LPG about six months ago. Cardiff Autogas did a great job of lifting the rear floor so that the tank was covered and installing the controller in the cabin, really quite neat. The system is almost seamless, automatically switches to LPG once the right temperature is reached, is just as smooth and I can't discern a lack of power.
I estimate that the £2000 cost wil be recovered in around 12-18 months as I get the equivalent of around 30MPG now based on the revised LPG cost.
The main drawbacks are the fact that there is no road tax rebate, the loss of spare wheel well and lack of availability of LPG but otherwise I am very pleased. I really don't understand why there aren't more vehicles available or converted, even small cars have a huge jump in economy. I had a very old Volvo S40 during the conversion and this seemed to get around 70 MPG equivalent.
If you have an old car you can extend the life and have great economy with LPG - seems a shame that most people dismiss this as a solution.
I estimate that the £2000 cost wil be recovered in around 12-18 months as I get the equivalent of around 30MPG now based on the revised LPG cost.
The main drawbacks are the fact that there is no road tax rebate, the loss of spare wheel well and lack of availability of LPG but otherwise I am very pleased. I really don't understand why there aren't more vehicles available or converted, even small cars have a huge jump in economy. I had a very old Volvo S40 during the conversion and this seemed to get around 70 MPG equivalent.
If you have an old car you can extend the life and have great economy with LPG - seems a shame that most people dismiss this as a solution.
Asked on 13 January 2013 by Welsnutter
Answered by
Honest John
The other drawback is that LPG burns differently from petrol so if the engine has variable valve timing the exhaust valves will not last very long. If you have a very old, non VVTI such as an old Jeep Cherokee pushrod 4.0 six, then LPG was a sensible conversion. But not sensible any more because the cost is more than an old Cherokee would be worth.
Similar questions
I own a 2012 Volkswagen T5 which was converted in 2017 to a pop-top camper with windows etc. My V5C section D5 body type was changed to motor caravan in 2018. What should I be paying for road tax?
Our 2016 Dacia Duster diesel was modified by the Dacia dealer to make it Euro 6 compliant. In your opinion do you think it is possible to upgrade our 2014 Dacia Duster diesel that's Euro 5 to Euro 6.
I'm thinking of buying a van to convert into a motorhome. As a general rule are there any makes and models that you'd recommend or avoid?
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Luxurious, safe, accomplished 4x4. Comfortable on road, very capable off it. V10 TDI is astonishing, 2.5 TDI and 3.0 TDI the sensible choices.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
