Geneva 08: Chevrolet HHR LPG

[eb110americana]

LPG as in Liquefied Petroleum Gas

On display at Chevrolet’s Geneva Show stand, the LPG-powered HHR study offers an economical and environmentally friendly propulsion alternative. In addition to its gasoline tank, the specially modified HHR has a 66-litre LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) tank accommodated in the spare-wheel recess so as not to reduce the trunk volume. Apart from the additional tank, the conversion also includes a separate gas-regulating device, a special evaporator pressure regulator for converting the liquid gas into its gaseous aggregate state, plus the necessary fuel lines. The driver can switch from gasoline to LPG or vice versa (bivalent propulsion) with just a push of a button. The performance data of the 170 hp front-wheel drive HHR remain unchanged...

Full text and 8 large images:
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/03...lpg-study.html

[solman98]

Reminds me of the nightmare we had a few years ago with the CNG vehicles. We spent thousands converting some and more purchasing factory equipped. No infrastructure to back it up. I wish them luck.

[osv_alero]

Will they sell it here? I'm sure alot of companies will want to get it for their fleet to meet the alternative fuel requirements.

[solman98]

Originally Posted by osv_alero

Will they sell it here? I'm sure alot of companies will want to get it for their fleet to meet the alternative fuel requirements.

Unless they change the laws, I don't think that will help them meet alt fuel requirements, I don't remember CNG helping. Unless they build the infrastructure, it would bomb here as CNG did.

[F14CRAZY]

Hmm...would it be cheaper to run on LPG than gasoline? It would be a pain but the US has decent availability of LP; I'm assuming you can have it filled wherever LP for like motor homes is dispensed

[stevecmh]

i kinda thought the LP cars were dying off

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

Hmm...would it be cheaper to run on LPG than gasoline? It would be a pain but the US has decent availability of LP; I'm assuming you can have it filled wherever LP for like motor homes is dispensed

Just depends on the selling price. This is something that can work in Australia as the Taxi fleet is pretty much 100% LPG gas so it is available almost everywhere in the cities. Last I saw (6 months ago) it was selling at AUS 60c or so per litre in Sydney when petrol (gas in the USA) was around AUS $1.35 per litre (Remember: 3.87 litres per gallon). So assuming the efficency is no worse than 75% of the regaular model it would be cheaper to run.

[Bvonscott]

Do you mean Liquefied PROPANE Gas? Thats what I always thought LPG stood for. Since you buy LPG at propane distributors. I mean, petroleum is basically gasoline, so why make into a gas and then liquefy it back to where it started? Can someone correct me here?

[Robert G]

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas

When LPG is used to fuel internal combustion engines, it is often referred to as autogas. In some countries, it has been used since the 1940s as an alternative fuel for spark ignition engines. More recently, it has also been used in diesel engines. Its advantage is that it is non-toxic, non-corrosive and free of tetra-ethyl lead or any additives. It burns more cleanly than petrol or diesel and is especially free of the particulates from the latter.

There are two downsides. Firstly it has a lower energy density than either petrol or diesel, so the equivalent m.p.g. is worse, but since many governments impose less tax, it is still usually more cost effective. Secondly, some designs of internal combustion engine require the lubrication of petrol or diesel and LPG's lack thereof can damage valves or shorten their life.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by jbernie

Just depends on the selling price. This is something that can work in Australia as the Taxi fleet is pretty much 100% LPG gas so it is available almost everywhere in the cities. Last I saw (6 months ago) it was selling at AUS 60c or so per litre in Sydney when petrol (gas in the USA) was around AUS $1.35 per litre (Remember: 3.87 litres per gallon). So assuming the efficency is no worse than 75% of the regaular model it would be cheaper to run.

Whoa...5.22 a gallon!!! And you guys still are lovin your V8 powerd sedans.
@60c per liter that would equal about 2.33 per gallon. I am aware that the Aussie dollar is worth more, so thats probably more like 6-7 bucks a gallon in America for gas, and about 4 bucks a gallon for LPG? Im not 100% on the conversion rates...I just shot from the hip.

[KIDDIESEL79]

Our natural gas supplier uses a lot of CNG vehicles here.

[ctaylorzl1]

I know a guy who has a late 80's LPG F-150, its a ok vehicle but if it gets below 40 degrees it wont start! It is pretty much his daily driver cause he says its extremely reliable, so LPG must have its advantages, although I wouldnt want one!

[Aprime]

What's amusing is that we have pretty much as many CNG pumps in Canada as diesel pumps.

[Odin]

Premium Petrol (98 Octane) is currently around 1.58 here, normal, 91 octane is about 147 LPG is around 70c a litre.