photo: opel
No one wants to drive a diesel anymore, and electric cars are not always suitable for everyday use. autogas and natural gas drive systems are a mature alternative. Answers to ten questions.
In the debate about emission levels and compliance with CO2 standards, a well-known alternative drive system is once again coming to the fore: around 77 percent gas.000 vehicles on the road in germany powered by natural gas. If carmakers have their way, the number will soon increase. So far, the autogas drive has been the most expensive type of vehicle at around 448.000 vehicles the much more popular alternative drive system. Answers to ten questions about driving with gas.
Why is natural gas drive in particular on everyone’s lips again now??
Gas burns more environmentally friendly than gasoline or diesel and costs less at the gas station. In times of increasingly stringent emission standards and the threat of inner-city driving bans, the two alternative fuels are once again moving into the spotlight. Car manufacturers have rediscovered the relatively clean-burning natural gas engine in particular and are launching new models with this drive alternative, such as the VW polo and seat ibiza presented at the IAA, opel astra or audi A3, A4 and A5. carmaker skoda is currently offering an additional discount if you replace your old diesel with a new natural gas car. In addition, the federal government recently decided to further subsidize gas engines.
What is autogas or natural gas??
LPG is a mixture of propane and butane and is produced as a by-product of petroleum processing and is therefore dependent on oil reserves. Since it is stored in liquid form at five to ten bar pressure, it is also referred to as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Natural gas (CNG, compressed natural gas) is a fossil fuel. However, natural gas vehicles can improve their eco-balance by blending biomass-derived and synthetic natural gas. The gas is stored in gaseous form at around 200 bar pressure.
Why are natural gas and autogas considered eco-alternatives??
The emissions from the combustion of natural gas and autogas are lower compared to gasoline and diesel. Hardly any soot particles or sulfur dioxides are emitted. Emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are lower than with gasoline and diesel engines. What’s more, CO2 emissions are lower than for gasoline-powered vehicles.
What is different about gas-powered vehicles than conventional cars with internal combustion engines??
The engine of a car or natural gas-powered vehicle is the same as a conventional gasoline engine, which is equipped with special injection technology, among other things. In addition, special tanks must be installed to store the gas. Natural gas tanks will be installed under the floor of the vehicle, if possible, so that the loading volume is not restricted. If autogas is retrofitted, the tank can often be stored in the spare wheel well to save space.
autogas and natural gas vehicles are usually designed as bivalent systems. Vehicles are considered to be bivalent if, in addition to the gas tank, they still have the original gasoline tank and can therefore use both types of fuel. So you can achieve a greater range without stopping to refuel. You can switch between both types of drive with a switch. Monovalent vehicles are more specifically adapted to gas operation, with a maximum of one emergency tank of gasoline on board.
How does the government support these alternative drives?
As the federal government decided this year, both alternative fuels will continue to benefit from a reduced mineral oil tax rate through the energy tax law: autogas until the end of 2022 (tax benefits will be reduced from 2019), natural gas until the end of 2026 (tax benefits will be reduced from 2024).
So it’s cheaper to drive on gas?
It depends. Although the initial investment in a gas-powered car is higher, you pay less at the gas station. Often you have to drive for several years to make the investment worthwhile.
The ADAC automobile club has calculated the most favorable model variant for various new gas-powered cars in comparison with gasoline and diesel models. the cost comparison is based on a five-year service life. So for an annual mileage of maximum 10.000 kilometers, the new polo, for example, is more likely to have a gasoline engine. From 15.000 kilometers and more per year, on the other hand, the somewhat higher initial investment pays for itself and you drive more economically. According to this analysis, the opel mokka X also drives at 10.000 kilometers per year, the autogas version of the ford focus turnier is cheaper, whereas the autogas version is only worthwhile from 20.000 kilometers per year.
If you don’t drive a gas car just out of conviction, it’s worth using a sharp pencil to calculate the annual mileage at which the additional purchase costs are amortized. Comparison calculators on the internet help with analysis.
Where can I refuel?
At about 7.000 stations – in other words, around half of all filling stations in germany – you can fill up with LPG. There are around 900 natural gas stations in Germany, but there are still many blank spots on the map. The locations of gas stations can be displayed on the Internet or via smartphone apps. But the prospects for natural gas are good: by 2025, it is expected to be 2.000 start-up points, according to the plan of an initiative of the automotive industry and gas suppliers. In the event of an emergency, a small gasoline tank on board ensures that you don’t break down. However, the more often this is used because there is no filling station nearby, the less economical it becomes to operate.
How large is the range of vehicles powered by natural gas or autogas??
The automotive industry has rediscovered natural gas as a clean diesel alternative, and although the range of vehicles is not huge, it is growing. From audi (u.A. A3) over fiat (u.A. 500L) opel (zafira), VW (u.A. Golf), skoda (u.A. Octavia) to mercedes (B-class), various manufacturers have models in their program, plus utility vehicles such as fiat ducato, mercedes sprinter, opel combo or VW caddy. As the newest models, seat ibiza and VW polo with natural gas engine will be available in the coming months. For new cars with autogas drive, the range is somewhat smaller, for example from dacia (u.A. Sandero), ford (u.A. Fiesta), hyundai (i10) or opel (u.A. Adam). LPG is often retrofitted.
which alternative is more suitable for retrofitting?
For the retrofitting of gasoline engines, autogas is the first choice, according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (ZDK), as the conversion is technically simpler and therefore more cost-effective. The conversion takes about two days and must be carried out by a specialist company, and the installation must also be entered in the vehicle documents. According to the ADAC, you have to expect costs of between 1.800 and 3.calculate 500 euro. In some cases there are also retrofit programs directly from the car manufacturers, such as citroen, fiat, hyundai, kia and opel.
Gas tanks in the car – how safe is it??
For the tanks are used steel or plastic carbon tanks (the latter for natural gas vehicles). The TuV safety inspection specifies a burst pressure of 600 bar for natural gas tanks, which the tanks must be able to withstand. During the main inspection, the tanks are checked for rust, among other things.
According to the ZDK, driving with gas is no more dangerous than with petrol if the conversion is carried out professionally by a master car mechanic. this is confirmed by various tests where gas cars were crashed or deliberately set on fire. Safety valves in the tank ensure that in the event of a fire, for example, the gas flows out of the heated tank and burns off in a controlled manner.