What is LPG?
LPG is a clean, high octane, abundant and eco-friendly fuel. LPG is obtained from natural gas through fractionation and from crude oil through refining. It is a mixture of petroleum gases like ethane and butane. The higher energy content in this fuel results in a 10% reduction of CO2 emission as compared to CNG.
LPG is a gas at atmospheric pressure and normal temperatures, but it can be liquefied when moderate pressure is applied or when the temperature is sufficiently reduced. This property makes LPG an ideal energy source for a wide range of applications, as it can be easily condensed, packaged, stored and utilized. When the pressure is released, the liquid makes up about 250 times its volume as gas, so large amounts of energy can be stored and transported compactly

What is Auto Gas?
Auto LPG means a mixture of certain light hydrocarbons derived from Petroleum, which are gaseous at normal ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, but may be condensed to the liquid state at normal ambient temperature by the application of moderate pressure. It should confirm to IS 14861 and be having energy content similar to gasoline with inherently clean burning characteristics. [Source: The Gazette of India Part II – Section 3 – Sub-Section (I)]

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What is ALDS?
The dispensing unit site approved by CCoE for Auto LPG is generally known and referred as Auto LPG Dispensing Station (ALDS). Government, under the supervision of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gases, has opened ALDS as core sector to private entrepreneurs.

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Why set up an ALDS?
Problems with existing conventional fuels
   1. Steep increase in the prices of Liquid Fuels
   2. Chances of Adulterated Fuel
   3. Government policies to reduce pollution

Simple answer to all the above-mentioned issues is to have Gas as an Alternative Automotive Fuel.
Due to immense superiority of Auto LPG over other automobile fuels, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt. of India vide G.S.R. 569 dated 1st August 2001 issued Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of use in Motor Vehicles) Order, 2001, vide which Parallel Marketers have been permitted to carry out any or all the business of importing (including Auto LPG Import substitution), storing, marketing, distribution and selling Auto LPG for automotive purpose provided parallel marketers have prescribed rating certificate.

Parallel Marketers have further been permitted by the said order to appoint Auto LPG Dispensing Station Dealer engaged in the business of purchase, storage and sale of Auto LPG who are to be licensed by the Chief Controller of Explosives under the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (unfired) Rules, 1981 as amended from time to time.

What are the requirements for setting up ALDS?
For setting up Autogas Dispensing Station, the requirement of the land is as follows:
    - 900 sq. mtrs. area generally in Cities
    - 2,000 sq. mtrs. area preferred in sites adjacent to National Highways

The plot sizes for the sites recommended above are needed for maintaining requisite safety distance (from the Dispensing Stations) from the adjoining properties/buildings, from roads as per Static and Mobile Pressure Vessel (Unfired) Rules, 1981 (SMPV Rules) administered by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), Nagpur. These plot sizes also provide adequate space for putting up an Autogas Kit Retrofit Center and also additional Dispenser with underground tank for future to double the capacity at minimum cost.

Larger plot size has been recommended for sites on National Highways keeping in view much larger distance requirement from Highway (as per NHAI Guidelines) and the prospect of major future expansions.

What is the usage pattern of LPG in our country?
89 % of LPG usage in India is for domestic (cooking purposes). About 8 % is consumed by industry. There are 41 million Indian households that use LPG as a cooking fuel.

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How will LPG be available for automotive consumption?
Along with petrol and diesel, for which there is heavy demand, LPG is also imported to India. For automotive consumption, LPG will also be imported at prevailing international prices. Domestic production is also slated to increase with more refining capacity being utilized.

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Can it be used legally?
The use of LPG as an automotive fuel has become legal in India with effect from April 24, 2000, albeit within the prescribed safety terms and conditions. Hitherto, thousands of LPG vehicles running in some Indian cities have been doing so illegally by using domestic LPG cylinders, a very unsafe practice. Using domestic LPG cylinders in automobiles is still illegal.

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How green is LPG?
LPG impacts greenhouse emissions less than any other fossil fuel when measured through the total fuel cycle. LPG is a clean burning, high octane, environment friendly fuel with proven success in the domestic sector. It generates no smoke or fumes. It emits extremely low levels of Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons and Nitrogen Oxides. It emits virtually no sulphur oxides and no particulate matter. Conversion of petrol to LPG helps substantially reduce air pollution caused by vehicular emissions.

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What classes of vehicles are suited to use LPG as a fuel?
LPG can easily be used in trucks, buses, LCVs, MUVs, passenger cars and 3 wheelers. Since engines using gas operate at far higher temperatures than those using conventional fuels do, new engines rather than converted engines better serve heavy freight and passenger vehicles.

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Does usage of LPG necessitate sacrificing power?
Not at all! Unlike CNG where engine power reduces upto 20 % due to gas carburetors, LPG can be used similarly to diesel with liquid sequential multi point fuel injection. Also, since it is pressurized at a mere 5-7 bars, LPG does not require drag inducing heavy tanks that is the bane of CNG. In CNG as quantity reduces in the tank with usage, engine power also reduces simultaneously and pressure creating systems have to be installed in order to maintain engine power at optimum levels (thereby increasing the cost of conversion to CNG). On the other hand, LPG doesn’t face this problem of power reduction right until the last drop is consumed. This characteristic of LPG can even be witnessed inside the kitchen – the flames on a cooking range using LPG burn with the same intensity throughout - when the cylinder is full and when it is almost empty.

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How safe is LPG in automobiles?
Unlike CNG, which is pressurized at 200 bars, LPG is pressurized at just 5-7 bars, which makes it as safe as conventional fuels. The automotive use of LPG has an excellent safety record and various crash tests and fire tests have proved that, owing to the strength and integrity of the fuel tank, it is safer than petrol and on a par with diesel. The conversion of vehicles to LPG has, of course, to be undertaken by a competent person working in accordance with the prescribed standards.

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What are the norms for Retro-fitment?
Any petrol vehicle can readily be converted to use Dura Auto Gas by fitment of –Autogas Conversion Kit and Autogas Tank. After retrofitting, the vehicle has to immediately obtain endorsement from RTO for running on Auto LPG.
Autogas Kit and Tank fitted in vehicles shall conform to following Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
IS 14899 : 2000 for LPG Containers for Automotive use
IS 15100 : 2001 of Multi Functional Valve Assembly on fixed LPG Containers

How viable is LPG for retrofitting or converting vehicles?
LPG conversion kits cost Rs8000-12000 for conventional carburetor systems and Rs15000-Rs18000 for MPFI systems. This is as compared to Rs36000-Rs45 000 for CNG conversions. The viability is best exemplified by measures such as fuel economy and savings on account of less engine wear and tear, less consumption of engine oil, lower fuel cost per kilometer etc. (See appended table).

What are the logistics and distribution hassles for LPG?
None that cannot be easily surmounted! LPG is easily transportable and can be stored in stand-alone facilities. Unlike CNG, it does not require an elaborate and expensive pipeline network for its distribution. Dispensing equipment is simple and can be operated with minimum support infrastructure in quick time. Unlike in stand alone CNG filling stations; filling time of LPG does not increase proportionately with the decreasing quantity of the fuel in the storage tank.
Regulations specify that LPG tankage & dispensers should be at a safe distance from other fuels, so smaller fuel stations may not be able to stock and dispense LPG in addition to diesel and petrol. However, LPG fuel stations do not require elaborate infrastructure and can be built in quick time.

How has LPG fared in other countries?
The record speaks for itself. There are around 4 million vehicles in several countries around the world using LPG as automotive fuel, supported by 21,000 dispensing stations. Italy has the maximum number of vehicles running on LPG (around 1,100,000) followed by Australia (around 490,000), North America (around 400,000) and the Netherlands (around 360,000).
In Japan, almost all the taxis run on Auto LPG and the country has the highest usage of Auto LPG in the world.

Which are the user segments that are going to benefit from LPG ?
Initially it would be most advantageous for fleet owners to go in for LPG. Thus Government departments, corporations, hotels, car rentals, taxi and auto rickshaw fleets, etc. will be the first to adopt LPG and reap the economic benefits of using it. As LPG infrastructure comes up, automobile manufacturers will see growing demand from individuals as well. Finally, growing environmental concerns in our cities will prompt governments to go in for bus fleets with new engines capable of optimally utilizing LPG.