W hy is it simple when it can also be complicated?? Or, to put it another way, why should cars be driven ecologically and economically when they can be driven more expensively and with less impact on the environment?? This question may be allowed with regard to gas cars.
Cars that run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been on the market for decades. Natural gas vehicles (CNG – compressed natural gas), on the other hand, are comparatively new. Both, however, have not yet been able to establish themselves as alternatives to gasoline or diesel.
According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), there are around 500 natural gas-powered cars on German roads.000 LPG cars, with CNG accounting for around 100.000 fired. The total number of passenger cars is 44.4 million. Nevertheless, the range of CNG vehicles in particular has grown significantly in recent years.
The initiative erdgas mobil lists 22 car models on its website. Commercial vehicles from delivery vans to buses also run on CNG. The number of autogas models available ex works is currently 67, says rainer scharr, chairman of the German liquid Gas association (DVFG).
New cars more expensive by comparison
Retrofit solutions are also available. But it is more complicated and more expensive to switch to natural gas instead of autogas. According to the DFVG, switching to LPG costs between 1800 and 2800 euros on average. In the case of natural gas, such amounts are generally not sufficient.
The savings potential of gas-powered cars lies primarily in the lower, tax-privileged fuel costs. But you have to drive them long enough to recoup the higher purchase costs. As a new car, they are usually several hundred to several thousand euros more expensive than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.
Germany is only lagging behind in e-mobility
Private purchasers of electric vehicles are to be charged for the use of CNG from January 1, 2010. July to receive a premium. The government hopes this will boost sales. Numerous new charging stations are also to be installed.
Source: the world
Compared to diesel, there is often little difference in price. Additional or conversion costs of approx. 2500 euros for a small car, for example, according to the liquefied petroleum gas association, after 68.000 kilometers, in the compact class after 56.500 kilometers or, in the case of a mid-range vehicle, after 48.000 kilometers compensated.
"the energy content of one kilo of natural gas is equivalent to 1.5 liters of gasoline or 1.3 liters of diesel," says timm kehler, director of the initiative for the future of natural gas. "compared to gasoline, natural gas drivers save almost half, and compared to diesel, almost one-third of the fuel costs," says kehler. Although this ratio is falling as the cost of fuel falls, it is to the detriment of the gas types, but they remain at an advantage.
Natural gas is the cheapest fossil fuel
When CNG and LPG are compared, natural gas is the cheaper fuel – because LPG consumption is comparatively high. According to the ADAC, the difference compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle can be as much as 30 percent, depending on the engine, autogas system or gas composition.
Just how efficient natural gas is as a fuel compared to other types of fuel is something you first have to consider. Obviously this is not. "if a kilogram of natural gas costs 1.00 euro, this corresponds to a super gasoline price of approx. 0.70 euros per liter," illustrates the ADAC.
The farewell to diesel has begun
Faster, better, more expensive is now once again the motto in geneva. There the autosalon has begun. The focus this year is on electric and hybrid cars.
source: die welt
However, maintenance costs can be higher. Gas cars have to be inspected more often in some cases. The gas system inspection (GAP) is usually carried out as part of the main inspection (HU). The service life of natural gas pressure vessels is generally limited to 20 years. After that, they have to be replaced at great expense.
One argument against gas-powered vehicles is the poor network of filling stations. LPG cars are less affected: "With over 6900 filling stations nationwide, autogas can be filled up at almost every second filling station," says Scharr. In contrast, drivers of CNG cars can only refill their tanks at more than 900 filling stations nationwide.
Thinner network of filling stations
To increase range, gas cars are often bivalent, especially LPG vehicles: they have an additional tank for gasoline onboard. In fact, in the case of retrofits, this is always the case.
Among the natural gas cars, however, there are more often so-called quasi-monovalent models, which only have a small emergency tank for gasoline. With a view to vacation trips in one’s own car, it should be borne in mind: with the exception of italy, switzerland, austria and poland, natural gas is scarcely available. LPG is also more common abroad.