Elite AutoGasWelcome to Elite AutoGas
Who is ELITE AutoGas?
Elite AutoGas specialises in LP Gas conversions, including GAS injection and Diesel Gas. Owned and operated by Gary Milne.
Common Questions
Government Grants | What is LPG | Advantages | Whats Involved | Dual Fuel
There is a Government Subsidy Scheme offering two types of grants available for vehicles less that 3000kg and registered not for business use. The Australian Federal Government offers a $2000 grant for vehicles being converted to run on LPG, you can download the form by clicking here.
The State Government of Western Australia also offers a $1000 grant for vehicles being converted to run on LPG, you can download this form by clicking here. As a West Australian when you combine the two grants, this brings the rebate subsidy to $3000.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas or LPG) is a hydrocarbon fuel comprising propane, butane or propylene, either separately or as a mixture of any of them. Automotive LPG is not the same as the LPG used in BBQ bottles. The quality of LPG for automotive use is controlled to ensure consistent vehicle performance under all driving conditions. The gas is liquefied under moderate pressure; when allowed to revert to vapour it expands 270 times its liquid volume. This enables LPG to be stored as a compact liquid but burnt as a dry gaseous vapour. LPG is non-toxic, non-corrosive, free of lead and heavier than air. It is produced by refinery fractionation of oil or is stripped from naturally occurring Natural Gas.
Advantages of LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas)
The major advantage in using LPG is the potential for cost saving – it can be up to 50% cheaper than petrol, litre for litre. Other advantages are reduced exhaust emissions, longer engine life and in some cases better performance.
What does an LPG conversion involve?
The conversion itself does not alter the car much: new equipment is added but very little of the existing equipment is changed or removed. All conversions will, however, include a dedicated gas fill point. During most conversions:
- A steel LPG storage tank is installed, usually in the boot but it can go under the floor in vehicles with enough clearance (e.g.; four wheel drives). This tank is fitted with an automatic fill limiter (AFL) which ensures you cannot fill your tank past the safe fill limit of 80%. This is necessary as LPG requires room to expand with temperature changes.
- A converter/regulator is added. This converts the liquid gas into a gaseous vapour, as well as regulating the process.
- A special air/fuel mixer is installed to ensure the correct amounts of LPG and air are mixed together during combustion.
- A fuel lock is fitted that lets fuel flow when the engine is running but shuts off the fuel supply as soon as the ignition is turned off.
- If the vehicle is post-1986 (i.e. built to run on unleaded petrol), it must be fitted with an LPG Fuel Control Processor.
Is it difficult to change between Petrol and LPG?
NO !!! - In Dual-Fuel installations (where you can operate on either one of two fuels, usually petrol or LPG), switching between fuels is as simple as flicking a small switch (usually mounted into the dashboard or console). Many late model EFI vehicles start on petrol then automatically switch over to gas. Obviously each system is different and operating instructions are provided.
