FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A. LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is the generic name used for mixtures of hydrocarbons (mainly propane and butane) which, when lightly compressed change from a gaseous state to a liquid.

LPG burns readily in air and its energy content is similar to petrol, which makes it an excellent fuel for automotive use.

Automotive use LPG is quite often called Autogas (or LPG Autogas) and is specifically blended for use in a vehicle, its specification governed by national standards.

Around 20% of Australian LPG is obtained as a by-product of the petroleum refining process. The rest of the LPG produced in Australia is extracted directly from 'wet' natural gas or crude oil. Australia has plentiful natural supplies of LPG and is a net exporter of the fuel.

A. LPG has been used safely in Australia for many decades. The Australian standards for LPG equipment, appliances and their installation, storage and handling are among the best in the world. Every aspect of the LPG industry is covered by a national code or standard and also by similar or additional state regulations.

Modern LPG Autogas systems, including those from Orbital, feature the following safety measures:

• A 3mm welded steel pressure cylinder which is stress-tested to many times its normal operating pressure prior to being installed
• Two electronically controlled shut-off solenoids (on cylinder and under bonnet) which stop the flow of gas to the engine if the engine stops for any reason
• Pressure relief valves for the tank and the system, to prevent any pressure build up that may damage the system, or be hazardous
• Double back-check valves to ensure gas tight filling
• Sealed compartments and venting around valves and pipe-work to ensure no LPG enters the interior of the vehicle

A. Most passenger motor vehicles and light commercial vehicles can be successfully converted to run on LPG Autogas. Orbital is rolling out LLi retrofit kits for a wide range of popular models. To check whether a kit is currently available for your vehicle click here.

A. Typically your installer will fit a cylindrical LPG tank in the cargo area/boot of the vehicle. On utility-style vehicles the tank is usually fitted under the rear cargo tray. Some cars can have a circular "toroidal" tank fitted in the spare wheel well beneath the floor of the boot. In this case the spare wheel must be mounted elsewhere in the boot or replaced by a puncture kit. In most LPG fuel tank installations there will be a small reduction in cargo or luggage space.

This will depend on three factors: the cost of the installation, the difference in pump prices of LPG and ULP, and the number of kilometres your vehicle travels per year.

The payback period will be shortened if successfully apply for a Australian Government grant for the installation of an LPG system. For information about the grant scheme click here.

Orbital has years of experience developing products for vehicle manufacturers both locally and overseas. The LLi system has been developed to provide optimum performance whilst ensuring engine durability is not compromised.

Australia's LPG Autogas infrastructure has expanded rapidly in the past decade with now more than 3200 outlets across the country. With 6500 service stations in Australia, this represents 1 in 2 outlets with LPG and at least half are in regional or rural areas. It is possible to drive an LPG vehicle around Australia as proven by Ford in 2004 who travelled 13,950km solely on LPG. For information on where to fill you LLi car with LPG go to the LPG Autogas web site.