LPG or CNG: what is the difference?
LPG: advantages and disadvantages
LPG, or Liquid Petroleum Gas, is a mixture of two gases: butane and propane. Also known as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or LPG-c, LPG is a fuel with many advantages:
- Significant savings: about 50% cheaper than petrol
- Reduced impact on global warming: fewer CO₂ and nitrogen oxide emissions
- Less air pollution: no fine particles
- Reduced engine maintenance
- A longer range, thanks to the dual-fuel system generally used in LPG vehicles
However, running on LPG requires a technical adaptation of the vehicle, which is relatively expensive. LPG is set to be phased out in the UK within the next few years and replaced with EV charging points.
CNG: advantages and disadvantages
Green natural gas for vehicles, or CNG, is a renewable gas that is produced by a methanisation process. It has been considered a fuel of the future because of its advantages over petrol and diesel:
- Savings of 20 to 30% per litre compared to diesel
- It generates much less CO₂ than a conventional engine
- Fewer emissions of nitrogen oxide and fine particles
However, CNG is hampered by a lack of infrastructure. There are just 13 filling stations in the UK where CNG is available.
LPG and CNG are ecological and economical fuels that are not widely used. Without economic incentives, this situation is unlikely to change in the UK.
