• What is LPG Autogas?
• What about my vehicle warranty?
• Where does LPG come from?
• Is LPG Autogas different to LPG used in a BBQ?
• Is LPG Autogas safe?
• How Safe Are LPG Autogas Engine Systems?
• How much cleaner is LPG Autogas than diesel?
• Why is LPG Autogas more environmentally friendly?
• How much is LPG Autogas?
• Why does Autogas cost more in the country than in the city?
• Can I drive around Australia in an LPG Autogas car?
• Does the Government support LPG Autogas?
• Where can I obtain the current Material Safety Data Sheet?

What is LPG Autogas?

LPG stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is the generic name used for mixtures of hydrocarbons (mainly propane and butane). When these mixtures are lightly compressed (approx.800 kPa or 120 psi) they change from a gaseous state to a liquid.

LPG is colourless, odourless and heavier than air. A chemical is added to give it a smell like rotten cabbage, so that even a very small leak can be easily detected. LPG burns readily in air and has an energy content similar to petrol, which makes it an excellent fuel for heating, cooking and for automotive use.

Automotive use LPG is quite often called Autogas (or LPG Autogas) and is specifically designed for use in a vehicle. LPG Autogas can contain both propane and butane with the specification (or blend) governed by the requirements of the National Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and the Autogas Determination 2003.

What about my vehicle warranty?

Vehicle warranty is not made void by the installation of an LPG system. However, the vehicle manufacturer will not warrant the LPG system (unless fitted or endorsed by them) and manufacturer will not warrant anything that is affected by having the LPG system fitted or running the vehicle on LPG. These items are covered by the LPG system supplier and installer and are usually for 2 years or 50,000 kilometres. Extended warranty products are also available (for a small additional charge) to cover the vehicle for longer periods. Please check with your installer for both normal warranty cover and extended warranty options. You might also like to check out the Secure Warranty web site.

Where does LPG come from?

LPG can be obtained from two different methods or processes:

• Most commonly in Australia it is extracted directly from ‘wet’ natural gas or crude oil. Almost 80% of Australian LPG is produced from this process and includes places like Bass Strait (VIC), Cooper Basin (SA), Kwinana (WA), North West Shelf (WA) and Surat Basin (QLD).


• LPG can also be obtained as a by-product of the petroleum refining process which produces around 20% of Australian supplies. There are seven local refineries - Mobil Altona (VIC), BP Bulwer Island (QLD), Shell Clyde (NSW), Shell Geelong (VIC), Caltex Kurnell (NSW), BP Kwinana (WA) and Caltex Lytton (QLD) all producing LPG.


• Australia has plentiful natural supplies of LPG and in 2005 exported 1.6 million tonnes (about 3 billion litres).

Is LPG Autogas different to LPG used in a BBQ?

YES. There are two different grades or blends of LPG and they are not interchangeable. LPG Autogas is for automotive use only and will be a mixture of propane and butane. The other blend is propane, which can only be used for decanting into cylinders for barbecues, camping, caravanning and household use.

Is LPG Autogas safe?

YES. LPG has been used safely in Australia for many decades. The Australian standards for LPG equipment, appliances and their installation and for storage and handling are among the worlds best. Every aspect of the LPG industry is covered by a National Code or Standard and also by similar or additional State Regulations.

How Safe Are LPG Autogas Engine Systems?

The LPG Autogas system in today’s modern vehicle is designed to be safe: safe in use, safe to repair and even safe in a vehicle accident.

The Autogas system has a number of important safety features including:

• 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;


• Approved components to ensure long service life; and


• The support of trained personnel who comply with rigorous Australian Standards for manufacture and installation of the system, in new cars at the production line, or vehicles retrofitted after purchase.

How much cleaner is LPG Autogas than diesel?

The dirty black smoke that we see coming from diesel vehicles is particulates, a known cause of sickness and death. By replacing a diesel engine with an LPG Autogas equivalent, emissions of this particulate matter would be cut by over 90%.

Why is LPG Autogas more environmentally friendly?

Burning Autogas creates appreciably less carbon dioxide (CO2) than unleaded petrol. CO2 is the most important of the greenhouse gases which are causing long-term climate change. Overall tailpipe emissions can be as much as 80 per cent cleaner using LPG Autogas instead of petrol.

How much is LPG Autogas?

Because LPG Autogas is excise free, it can be purchased for around half the cost of unleaded petrol. Retail LPG Autogas prices move in a similar manner to petrol prices. Price fluctuations reflect the highly competitive nature of the industry, with retailers discounting products to protect and gain market share at times of low demand.

Why does Autogas cost more in the country than in the city?

Additional costs are incurred when transporting LPG Autogas from coastal terminals to outlets in regional inland areas. In addition, smaller volumes are transported to regional areas less frequently than in metro areas, so a higher premium is charged for the service, which is reflected in price per litre. This transport premium could be as much as five times the amount to transport the same volume of petrol to the same regional outlet.

Can I drive around Australia in an LPG Autogas car?

YES. Australia’s Autogas infrastructure has grown a great deal in recent years. There are more than 3,200 outlets across Australia and nearly half of the filling stations are in regional or rural areas. Ford Australia recently drove an LPG Fairmont around Australia (13,950km) solely on LPG which proves it is possible. Click on the links for more information on where to find LPG Autogas OUTLETS or for PLANNING A TRIP.

Does the Government support LPG Autogas?

On 14 August 2006 the Federal Government announced grants for private motorists of $1,000 toward the price of a new factory fitted LPG vehicle and $2,000 toward the cost of converting a new or used vehicle to LPG. For more information go to GOVT GRANTS AND LPG.

The ACT Government provides a 20% concession on the registration fee of privately registered vehicles if they are fitted with an approved LPG Autogas system.

The WA Government provides a $1000 subsidy to private motorists for fitment of an LPG autogas system to their vehicles. Visit the WA Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure web site for information on the LPG SUBSIDY SCHEME.

In 2004, the Federal Government announced Autogas would remain excise-free until 2011. Even after that date, excise will be gradually applied in annual increments of 2.5 cents per litre until it reaches a ceiling of 12.5 cents per litre in 2015. By comparison, the current excise on petrol in 38.1 cents per litre.

Where can I obtain the current Material Safety Data Sheet?

The MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet Can be obtained here. Or you can find it in the Environment Section at the bottom of the 'About LPG' page.