LPG vehicles

A total of over 300 million drive on roads in Europe. Completely renovating this fleet will take decades, so technologies like LPG can play a significant role in reducing emissions during the transition.

An LPG vehicle is equipped with a dual-fuel system that makes it possible to use gasoline and LPG — a mixture of propane and butane — interchangeably. LPG is stored in a liquid state at low pressure in a high-strength steel tank that is usually located in the spare wheel well. Thanks to this design, the car's trunk retains its space, allowing family or professional use without compromising the vehicle's load. 

The system has a set of specific components that regulate the flow of gas to the engine. The car always starts on gas and switches to LPG automatically when the engine reaches the right temperature for efficient combustion. An electronic control unit coordinates the entire process so that the driver does not notice any change in the power or smoothness of the ride. 

The maintenance of these vehicles does not differ significantly from a conventional one, simply periodic checks of the gas filters. This ensures a long service life and optimal performance over time. 

There is no single technology in the field of mobility. There are several proposals, each with its own value proposition, without losing sight of the need to reduce the carbon footprint on the road.

• LPG (autogas): The most balanced solution for users who make intensive use of the vehicle. Its value lies in its cost-effectiveness: it offers a fuel price lower than that of petroleum derivatives and it immediately obtains an ECO label. This makes it the ideal option for those looking for interurban autonomy and unrestricted driving through urban centers without relying on electrical recharging infrastructures still under development. Low NOx and zero particulate emissions contribute significantly to improving air quality in cities.
• Electric mobility: The alternative with the lowest emissions intensity. Its technical feasibility is linked to the availability of private charging points. Although electric mobility stands out for its low maintenance costs and ZERO label, its massive deployment continues to be conditioned by still-maturing public infrastructure.
• Hybrid vehicles: Continue to be the middle link. Hybrid vehicles are efficient in urban environments, although their long-term economic performance for users of many kilometers is usually lower than that of LPG.
• Renewable fuels: a fundamental technical solution to reduce emissions in existing vehicles, allowing a neutral life cycle without the need for replacing or making modifications to combustion engines. Renewable fuels represent the logical horizon for combustion engines in the medium term in a context in which the EU is reviewing its targets, now allowing reductions of close to 90% in emissions by 2035 in the automotive sector, opening the door to some technological flexibility. 

The technical characteristics of this system translate into direct benefits for the user and the environment around them: 

• Extended range: The combination of the two tanks allows you to travel long distances without refueling. Many models exceed 1,000 or even 1,200 kilometers of combined range, which provides comfort and peace of mind on long trips, eliminating the concern that other technologies may generate due to the lack of infrastructure. 
• Access to urban centers with traffic restrictions: having the ECO label is a key benefit nowadays, especially in cities where traffic restrictions are severe. It allows you to drive without restrictions in Low Emission Zones (also known by the acronym ZBE in Spain) and get discounts in regulated parking. 
• Reduction of local emissions: the use of ​autogas reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 68%, virtually eliminates all particles, and reduces CO₂ emissions by around 14% (compared to its use with gasoline), in addition to reducing engine noise by half, according to data from the European Liquefied Gas Association comparing autogas with diesel.
• Operational economic efficiency: LPG vehicles have a lower acquisition cost compared to other technologies, in addition to a lower fuel cost.  
• Less mechanical wear: Cleaner combustion helps reduce wear on some engine components. 

LPG vehicles have the ECO label provided by the Spanish Traffic Agency (the DGT), which facilitates their circulation in Low Emissions Zones (ZBE).

Autogas is the trade name for LPG when used as an automotive fuel. Approximately 60% of LPG is obtained during the extraction of natural gas and the remaining 40% comes from refining processes. Our supply network in Spain already has 445 stations.

Vehicles can be adapted to autogas through a technical conversion carried out in specialized workshops that install an approved kit. 

This intervention costs between €1,500 and €2,500, which is a savings compared to the acquisition of a new vehicle. Therefore, it is a step towards emissions reduction and accessing the aforementioned ECO label.  

In Spain there are specialized services for adapting cars to LPG. Repsol promotes supply networks and adaptation services to facilitate this transition.  

To obtain the ECO label from the DGT, gasoline vehicles must comply with EURO 4 emissions regulations or later, while diesel vehicles must comply with EURO 6 regulations. There are possible technical conversions in vehicles with regulations prior to those mentioned, although, in those cases, the ECO environmental label is not available. 

The evolution of the LPG vehicle market speaks to there being no single solution to meet the goal of reducing emissions in the field of mobility. This is a vision based on technological neutrality to encourage each user to choose the option that best suits their needs based on the kilometers they travel, their investment preferences, or the geographical area in which they are located. 

From this perspective of placing the customer and any of their needs at the center, 60% of our service stations offer multienergy solutions. This includes a network of EV charging points that already exceeds 7,000 owned and accessible through a collaboration agreement. And over 1,500 service stations now supply fuels of 100% renewable origin. 

In conclusion, we continue making strides in offering a network of stations that serve any type of vehicle, providing the energy that society needs for its day to day while working towards mobility with a lower carbon footprint.