Converting a Toyota Corolla Cross to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) costs in the region of R26,000 (excl. VAT).
This is according to exclusive feedback from alternative fuels company Isinkwe Energies, which recently developed the first Corolla Cross in South Africa that burns LPG as well as petrol.
The company currently operates two LPG filling stations in South Africa located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and Midrand, Gauteng, and offers a variety of conversion systems for most automotive brands on the market.
Managing Director Kyle Hartley explained that converting a petrol or diesel-powered car to run on LPG is a rather swift and non-invasive process, and that it does not interfere with the current mechanical workings of the vehicle.
The procedure entails the installation of a storage vessel, a multivalve, and a number of components under the hood of the vehicle such as a patented electronic vaporizer, fuel filter, injectors, and an electronic control unit.
A control switch is also fitted inside the cabin, allowing the driver to select which fuel they want to use at that moment – it doesn’t only have to be LPG – as well as see the tank fuel level and any diagnostic signals such as service and error alerts.
You’ll also be glad to know that you won’t be without your wheels for weeks when doing the conversion, as the installation only takes around eight hours, sometimes less.
Unfortunately, Isinkwe does not source vehicles on the customer’s behalf, but said that it can offer an LPG solution for “most vehicle makes and models.”
Keep in mind, however, that the costs may differ depending on your ride and LPG system of choice.
Isinkwe Energies LPG Fuel Station in Durban
What is LPG
LPG is a byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining, consisting of a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases that are commonly used as fuel for various applications.
The main components of LPG are propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10), although it may also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons. These gases are compressed into a liquid state at relatively low pressures to make transportation and storage easier.
LPG is versatile and widely used for different purposes, including cooking, heating, automotive fuel, industrial applications, and refrigeration.
The alternative fuel offers two main advantages. It burns cleaner than petrol and diesel which results in lower emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases being emitted into the environment.
Furthermore, it achieves considerably lower running costs than fossil fuels.
“A hybrid vehicle converted to run on [LPG] achieves a fuel economy similar to that of the standard, unconverted hybrid model, but with dramatically lower fuel costs and reduced emissions,” said Hartley.
“In the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid specifically, we install a tank with a fuel-holding capacity of 42 litres, which would cost around R500 including VAT to fill and achieves an average fuel consumption of 16km per litre.”
In comparison, refueling a standard Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 36-litre tank will cost between R728 and R767 at November’s fuel rates, depending on where you live and whether you go for 93 or 95 unleaded.
“Motorists can expect to save up to 60% of their fuel cost,” concludes Hartley.
“Savings are determined by a number of factors such as the area (inland or coastal), the vehicle, its application, and driving behaviour.”
LPG powered Toyota Corolla Cross
Full Article: TopAuto
