The calculation is based on an average of 13L/100km consumption by a car travelling an average of 25,000 kilometres per year over two years. As any astute fleet manager will appreciate, larger numbers bring greater savings.

Here’s a typical example based on average fuel prices for February 2006:

The steps to determine your savings are:

ANNUAL PETROL COST
= Petrol Consumption (litres) x Petrol Cost (per litre)
= a / b x c
= (30,000km / 100 x 13 litres) x $1.40
= $5,460 per year

ANNUAL LPG COST
= LPG Consumption (litres) x LPG Cost (per litre)
= a / d x e
= (30,000km / 100 x 16.9 litres) x $0.65
= $3,295 per year

SAVINGS = Annual Petrol Cost - Annual LPG Cost
= $5,460 - $3,295
= $2,165 savings per year
= $41.63 savings per week

Multiply this by 2 years and 15 vehicles equates to a fuel saving of $64,950 (around the cost of 2 cars).

*Note: Litre for litre, you will use approximately 30 per cent more LPG Autogas over a given distance.

For more information on savings available from LPG Autogas use the PAYBACK CALCULATOR on the right hand side of this page.

The advantages of Autogas over petrol include:

• Fewer oil and filter changes
• No sludge formation in engines
• Longer exhaust life
• Cleaner spark plugs
• Longer engine life
• Cylinder walls are never washed dry
• No lubricating oil dilution occurs
• No fuel carbon deposits are formed, resulting in less engine wear

Sedans:
Ford offers a factory-fitted dedicated LPG Autogas-only variants of Falcon called the E-gas, while Mitsubishi currently offers an Autogas system for Magna and Toyota offers factory fitted LPG systems for HiAce. Holden will soon offer a sophisticated Autogas injection system for Australia’s most popular car, Commodore.

Light Commercial Vehicles:
Ford’s factory-fitted E-gas system is available on models of Falcon Ute.

An advanced sequential multi-port direct injection system is available for Holden Rodeo utility through Holden dealers.

Toyota offers sophisticated direct injection technology for the 2.7 litre engine in its all-new HiAce van range.

Other options:
Almost all unleaded petrol-fuelled vehicles can be converted to LPG Autogas operation at a reasonable cost (subject to space limitations).

Typical conversion costs range from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the type of vehicle and the licensed installer you select. However, the costs can be recouped in as little as 12 months thanks to the savings made at the pump every time you fill up. Of course, once you recover the initial conversion costs the savings mount quickly.

Dual-fuel vs Dedicated:
When considering a new Autogas-powered vehicle it is important to decide whether a dual-fuel or dedicated system best suits your company’s needs.

Dual-fuel systems meaning the vehicle will be able to run on unleaded petrol as well as LPG can almost double a vehicle’s range and are ideal in situations (e.g very remote rural areas) where flexibility of fuel sources is an advantage. Dedicated systems are advantageous when a fleet manager wishes to contain running costs by removing the option of using petrol.

Over recent years several new Autogas systems have been developed which combine advanced electronic management with various fuel injection technologies. The developments have progressed quickly from single point throttle body injection through to multipoint port injection – both in timed simultaneous injection and timed sequential injection forms. These systems are generally referred to as third and fourth generation.

The most advanced of these – the multipoint timed sequential systems, fourth generation - are functionally very similar to commonly used petrol injection systems. Advantages include quicker engine response, improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and the elimination of damaging backfire.

Importantly for manufacturers seeking to offer such systems as original equipment the new technology allows compatibility with the electronic control unit (ECU) of the base petrol model, meaning no interference with diagnostic or other functions.

LPG Autogas powered vehicles emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases and other pollutants than petrol-powered equivalents. Autogas typically has around 20 per cent less ozone forming potential (a measure of the tendency to generate photochemical smog), between 10 and 15 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions and only one fifth air toxics emissions.

Autogas vehicles operate even more relatively cleanly when the engine is cold. Given that most urban-use vehicles are often used for very short journeys this means a significant reduction in “real world” emissions.

Several Australian companies have embraced the environmental benefits of Autogas use.

Western Australian energy company Western Power, for example, is trialing a fleet Autogas-powered Holden Rodeos and Mitsubishi Magnas which use a fourth generation dual fuel BRC Sequent system manufactured in Italy by Impco Technologies.

“The on-road and fuel consumption performance of the pilot vehicles is similar to a vehicle using unleaded petrol and without the smog-related problems associated with diesel,” said Western Australian Energy Minister, Eric Ripper.

“We’re well placed to have the cleanest and greenest motoring fleet in Australia,” he said.

Western Power’s Fleet Management Controller Keith Lovatt says the community wants us to run a greener fleet but doesn’t want to pay for it.

“Autogas is currently less than half the price of diesel so the long-term savings are considerable but at the same time we estimate each vehicle will save the equivalent of about six trees in greenhouse gas emissions.”

In New South Wales, Country Energy decided four years ago to convert as much of its vehicle fleet as possible to run on LPG autogas, in line with its suite of environmental policies and initiatives.

Country Energy is Australia’s largest energy services corporation and currently has 163 Falcon, Magna and Commodore sedans, wagons and utilities running on LPG Autogas.

The company’s fleet of Autogas-powered vehicles grew by 28 per cent in the 2003-4 financial year, saving an estimated 40 additional tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We were attracted to LPG Autogas because it substantially reduces a vehicle’s greenhouse gas emissions – and the purchase of LPG vehicles is an integral part of our corporate commitment to environmental sustainability,” said fleet manager Martyn Webb.

Modern Autogas engine systems are designed to be safe in use, safe to repair and safe in a vehicle accident. All LPG tanks are rigorously tested and much stronger than conventional petrol tanks. In a crash, they can withstand enormous impact forces without deforming or leaking.

Other mandated safety features include:

• 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.

If, for example, you are driving from Sydney to Brisbane via the Pacific Highway, there are 109 Autogas outlets on the way. That means that on average, you would pass an Autogas filling station every 9km and the furthest distance between stops is just 72km. To find out more about the spread of Autogas outlets, use our TRIP PLANNER feature.

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.

In comparison, the current excise on petrol in 38.143 cents per litre.