Alternative fuel is the way to go

It's finally happening: petrol at Bt40 a litre.  Some drivers are beginning to realise it may be time to economise.

Some are turning to bicycles, others to motorcycles. Some opt to travel less.

But not many are willing to give up driving altogether.

They may have to make sacrifices by cutting out other luxury items.

They could also consider using alternative fuels.

Although ethanol is available at gas stations, the most common alternative fuel people think about is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).

Both could pose some difficulties but cars using them can switch to petrol with the flick of a switch.

Here are some pointers to help readers choose which fuel best suits you.

LPG

This stuff has been around for a while. It is the cooking gas.

It's a by-product of petroleum, which is why the government is not as supportive of it as an alternative fuel.

The global price of LPG fluctuates according to petrol prices.

Currently one litre will cost you approximately Bt11.

Although it is expected by some to rise further when the government reduces subsidies, this fuel is said to "always cost half of petrol".

What's good about LPG is you save on fitting costs.

Fitting on a LPG kit will cost between Bt18,000-25,000 depending on the product quality.

Currently there are kits that come from Italy, Taiwan and China.

Since LPG has a composition in some ways similar to that of petrol, it's easier to tune engines to run on LPG.

Also LPG uses less pressure to be stored as liquid, which means the tank required to store it does not have to be too heavy and a larger quantity can be stored.

This allows a longer driving range than gas fuels.

A 70kg tank of LPG can approximately provide a range of 400-500 kilometres.

LPG will give you about 80-90 per cent of the fuel mileage that petrol provides.

Another advantage is LPG stations are relatively easy to locate around the country as opposed to CNG.

The queues at LPG stations are usually shorter

The downside of LPG is it is heavier than gas, which means if it leaks into the car it will stay there.

That leads to a higher danger of LPG catching fire in case of a leak.

The first sign of danger will be the distinct smell of LPG.

If you've chosen quality LPG kits then their safety valves should avoid such leaks.

While LPG might seem like a quick fix, beware of the risks it carries.

If you're set on using LPG,

be aware that the government

has indicated its support could

well be temporary.

CNG

More people have heard of NGV than CNG, though they are the same.

Natural gas for vehicle or NGV is the name PTT uses to promote CNG in Thailand.

Susco recently said it plans to have six CNG stations later this year.

CNG is a lighter fuel, which means in case of a leak it does not accumulate around a certain area.

It diffuses into air and the likelihood of sparking an explosion is therefore much less when compared with LPG.

Since CNG is a gas, it's sold in kilos, not litres.

One kilo of CNG now costs Bt8.50.

The price is expected to rise in the future but the hikes will probably be more subdued than petrol.

The fuel faces several difficulties at this stage.

It is not easy to find CNG stations countrywide.

You're likely to have trouble locating them when driving in the provinces.

It also gives a limited range. The pressure at which CNG has to be stored is much higher than LPG.

The tank is heavy and big. A 70kg tank can store only about 19-20kg of CNG, which gives you about 150 kilometres.

Even if you use your CNG vehicle primarily in Bangkok, it needs refuelling every 2-3 days if you drive about 40-50km a day.

CNG burns hotter than petrol, which means you'll need some maintenance to replace valves and other parts of the engine that start to wear.

The big turn off for drivers may be the Bt50,000-Bt60,000 fitting cost for CNG.

What makes it an attractive option is the government is supporting it.

The number of PTT NGV fuelling stations are increasing upcountry.

Conclusion

Making the right choice requires careful deliberation.

If you drive quite a bit, it may help to know that CNG and LPG can reduce fuel bills by 66 per cent.

But if you drive sparingly, like going to the grocers now and then, don't bother switching.

Save your money and time.

If you're thinking of buying a new car that runs on alternative fuels, consider a Chevrolet Optra CNG or Chevrolet Colorado CNG.

Mitsubishi and Toyota also plan to release CNG vehicles in the future.

These vehicles come with full factory warranty and are tested by the company for defects. Something to consider in the years ahead, perhaps?