LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY MANAGEMENT: LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) AS A MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL

The retrofit or conversion of automotive engines to operate on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or propane fuel is one of many potentially cost-effective strategies for reducing a local government's annual fleet operation and maintenance costs. The cost effectiveness of an LPG conversion decision is highly dependent on the initial conversion cost, vehicle type, current and projected fuel costs, vehicle fuel economy (miles per gallon), and yearly average mileage. A series of plots have been developed which indicate simple paybacks for the conversion of several vehicle types (passenger car, small and standard pickups, and two and three ton trucks) over a wide range of fuel economies and annual usage patterns. A simple payback of less than three years can be achieved for vehicles with poor fuel economy and high annual use. The figures provided in this report may be used by fleet management personnel as a screening tool to identify those passenger cars, small or standard pickups, or light duty trucks which are candidates for LPG conversion. In addition to examining the benefits of an LPG conversion, local governments should also consider the competing energy management strategies of downsizing, and the acquisition of fuel efficient, diesel powered vehicles.

• Corporate Authors:

  Washington State Energy Office

  Olympia, WA  United States 
• Authors:
  • McCoy, G A
  • Kerstetter, J
• Publication Date: 1983-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Benefit cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Diesel trucks; Downsizing; Fleet management; Heavy vehicles; Liquefied petroleum gas; Local government; Pickup trucks; Planning; Retrofitting; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Conversion; Liquid petroleum gas
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile engines; Fleet planning; Pickups
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389153
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Energy Research Abstracts
• Report/Paper Numbers: WAOENG-83-24
• Contract Numbers: FG06-79R000003
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM