LPG Conversions

[John Saxton]

Isnt this latest offer from the Govt on LPG conversions handing the populace a brickbat to allay the voters fears on current fuel concerns?

Was'nt it stated last year that LPG will equate with other fuels in or by
around 2012 ...so is this the carrot?

What is happening with research and development into Australia's future requirements with motoring needs?

Be interesting to hear your views.

Cheers:)

[echnidna]

Ther's an election coming and Little Johnnies mob's swill troughs are overflowing , but heaven forbid the idea of reducing the governments slice to a morally responsible level.

[dazzler]

There had been talk of the govt putting the same tax on LPG as it has on petrol and diesel. Dont think that will happen now though.

[Sir Stinkalot]

Perhaps the money would have been better off going into improving public transport ....

I have noticed that my run into work over the westgate freeway has been quite good with the higher prices of petrol ..... similar to school holiday traffic.

It certainly is a bandaid solution.

[Glenn_M]

So is anyone considering conversion (of their vehicles:D )? Anyone crunched the number?

Glenn

[Sturdee]

There had been talk of the govt putting the same tax on LPG as it has on petrol and diesel. Dont think that will happen now though.

I understood that the legislation has already been passed and is law and is due to take effect in 2012. The only way it will not proceed is if parliament repeals this act.:mad:

By that stage no goverment will repeal this. Little Johnie latest sop to the electorate is absolutely useless. It is not enough and is not reducing the crippling effect the rising fuel prices will have on industry and retailers and is not reducing inflation.

Failure to act quickly in reducing petrol costs will only mean that in the next quarter, and the one after, the Reserve Bank will put up interest rates even more, making for the banks even more obscene profits at the expense of homeowners, and fuelling inflation.

We're again bound for becoming a banana republic if we only had bananas.:D

Peter.

[martrix]

So is anyone considering conversion (of their vehicles:D )? Anyone crunched the number?

Glenn

have a look here for number crunching LPG Savings calculator (http://www.lpgautogas.com.au/index.cfm?Action=MyBusiness).
I don't give a stuff about Howard and his carrot and stick policy's and wont be voting for him no matter what!
But i am taking the cheque thanks Eddie!
My van will be going on gas/fuel. probably cost me about $400-$500 (with the grant) which will pay itself off in around 4 months.

Any one know what a gas conversion costs for a Toyota Hiace?

[KRH]

Any one know what a gas conversion costs for a Toyota Hiace?

No matter what it is now it will most likely rise in the very near future as supply and technicians to fit are in short supply. By how much - let's say, um, about a $2,000 rise!

[Harry72]

Price out a proper conversion... gas and petrol is a compromise.
It'll cost a fair bit more for a total change over to gas than that $2000, but the benefits long term are better.

[journeyman Mick]

Price out a proper conversion... gas and petrol is a compromise.
It'll cost a fair bit more for a total change over to gas than that $2000, but the benefits long term are better.

Depends where you live and how far you travel though. Around here gas outlets can be pretty thin on the ground. Having a gas only vehicle would limit my travel quite seriously.

Mick

[Riverland]

The wife has booked her 1994 Magna in to be put on gas. We also have a Hyclone which does a good job on helping to save on fuel.

[swiftden]

Dont just talk about it do it !!! I booked our commodore in here and tried everywhere in adelaide and suburbs only to be told XMAS as the earliest.

Conversion kits are in short supply etc. Ive been quoted everything from $1950 - $2700 for a vx holden commodore.

At that price i think it is worth it. So what if in 2012 the tax on gas goes up to 12.5c a litre. It will still be cheaper to run on gas than petrol and in the mean time you have made a savings. If by some odd chance fuel ends up cheaper which i doubt you just dont use the gas system !!!


Thats my two bobs worth

Regards
Allan

[silentC]

The thing that bugs me about both sides of this debate is that it focusses on city people. I read the letters to the SMH about it and most of them say "don't give me a subsidy, put the money into public transport". Well, that's great for you if you live in Sydney, but what about people in the country? Are we meant to just put on a warm glow because we know that the Fed government has just sponsored another 15 trains and 100 buses in Sydney?

The best response I saw was "if I don't want or need an LPG conversion, can I get a flat screen TV instead?".

[rev]

Anyone know how the rebate is to be claimed and paid?

[silentC]

I think it's just a proposal at present, isn't it?

[echnidna]

The best way to help everyone is apply the money to Diesel for use by trucks only.
That way delivery costs would be minimised thus minimising the upward thrust on inflation.

[rev]

not just a proposal....the scheme has been operating since it was announced, day before yesterday.

[swiftden]

The full details and application forms can be sent to you by calling this number 132846 or going to this web page http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/content/level3index.cfm?ObjectID=D47685C8-0B0B-459C-B07A2EFBDB3D4AF7&L2Parent=AEB901E5-7CB8-4143-A3BF33B2423F9DA6

[rev]

thanks swiftden!...answers all my questions.

[Clinton1]

Last year I priced a full conversion to 'LPG only', and it was pretty scary.

I'm not driving much at the moment so the pressure to change isn't on.
I will sell the car and get an LPG only Falcon (LPG only factory fit). A mates 2000 Falcon wagon gets 600km to 60 lt gas with city driving. Falcons :( - I don't like Falcons - but thats just a preference.

'Midge fights a strong corner for other options - I'm yet to do the full sums, so I might change my mind. :rolleyes:

[Buzzer]

Being from a rural area, lpg is near useless out here as refill stations are few and far between, but more outlets are slowly appearing.

I still don't have enough info to warrant converting just yet.

Is Lpg produced in Australia or is it imported ,and how much excise will apply in the future?

I think the Howard Govt has missed the boat with regard to sustainable energy research( solar, wind, ethanol,bio-fuels) there must be others that I haven't thought of. They have been reactive on this issue rather than proactive.

The Commomwealth Gov't are not converting there own cars to lpg. Why? They have given a lame duck excuse that I can't even remember.

In conclusion I think this is a short term action, to make it appear the Gov't is doing something. I hope it leads to some longer term action that will do good for the people of Australia.

That's my 2 bob's worth.

Cheers.

[rev]

I was thinking of doing the conversion anyway; the govt incentive makes it a no brainer for me. I live in the country (provincial city) and travel about 25-30 k a year and at country petrol prices (often 10cpl more than in the city) it seriously eats into the household income. I have talked to several people who have done the conversion in similar cars to my VX Commodore who are delighted. Local availability is not an issue for me and with a full tank when leaving I should have plenty of range to get to a filling station.

[doug1]

Any one know what a gas conversion costs for a Toyota Hiace?[/quote]

Perhaps you should ask Toyota about LPG, Today they replied to me saying our cars were not suitable to convert

Doug

[Sturdee]

Perhaps you should ask Toyota about LPG, Today they replied to me saying our cars were not suitable to convert

Doug

That's what I heard on the radio yesterday. Toyota claimed that the higher temperatures of using LPG will cause damage to their engines and that will not be covered by warranty.


Peter.

[HJ0]

This will tell you most of what you need to know.

http://www.autogaschallenge.com.au/index.cfm?Action=MyCar


HJ0

[Auld Bassoon]

I haven't seen any instances of kit or installers for imported vehicles (I run a 2004 Audi A4 2.4 V6) - anyone know if there are any?

[lesmeyer]

Its a no brainer for me with my ford falcon sedan. If I fit the gas tank, I will be unable to fold the seats down and put long timber (2.4m) in the car for transport from the lumber yard. :eek:
Regards
Les

[jow104]

Back in the seventies when we had that fuel price hike I ran a taxi for three years on LPG (there was a local supplier, a dairy delivery business for its own vehicles and they gave the local taxi fleet a fuel supply outlet)
It was a dual conversion, so petrol could also be used (handy for using the car outside of supply area)
The gas cyclinder was a nuiance because of space loss, but performance was OK and I most probably came out of the deal after capital costs on the right side.
So fuel supplies outlets are important or dual fuel use would be needed.

[Tonyz]

Lesmeyer yes you can. Iam now on my third Falcon wagon all have been on dual ie gas/petrol. My currant is an EA11 what they do is remove the spare wheel and petrol tank. The wheel well is sealed up (usually)the petrol tank cut in half and then for mine 3 scuba type tanks are fitted into where the spare wheel used to go.I can now carry 60-70 litres LPG depending on hot or cold and 30 liters petrol. The spare wheel now mounts vertically between the right wheel arch and wagon door. My Falcon has done 280000 k and on a trip to Adelaide will use about 15L/100K roughly 112 liters at the cost of 55c/L. = $62.
A mate has the EB wagon petrol only and will cover the same distance on 75 liters @ $1.45 /L =$108. point taken
My rear seat is down more than up and dont loose any storage space. But 2.4 is pushing over the centre consol

Tony

[John Saxton]

As another point to this thread its been alleged that some installers are already hiking up the cost of installation on the back of demand ect.:(

The Govt's in making available the allotted amounts surely kept the installation cost in total locked in perhaps!

Excuse me for bein' cynical but it's to be expected is it not?:mad:

I have a 120l Lpg tank in my Falcon ute which takes up a fair amount of space behind the cab on the (wellside)tray and I dont know what it would cost to install that these days,let alone what tank sizes are available but I do around 600kms a week and there's always plenty left in the tank topping up with around 50-60ls every week.

Cheers:)

[maglite]

My previous ute was duel fuel but the new one is petrol only, no matter i will be buying a deisel something in the next few months.
The old ute had very good range and i was very happy with it.
Apparently it had one of the better conversions done to it as it always started on petrol and only cut over to gas upon reaching 1500 rpm.
Helped lubricate the engine parts i was told.
Ford informed me that i would void all warranty if i coverted my current ute as the engine management system wasnt designed to run on LPG.

I suspect that the Fed Govt turns over their vehicles on or about 50K so i can see that a conversion probably wouldnt be that beneficial but i cant see why they cant purchase another duel fuel vehicle instead, a Toyota Prius for example.

Steve

[zathras]

Tonto,

Wagon != Sedan !!!!!!

I'm with Lesmeyer on this one.
What use is a whopping big gas tank across the back seat when you lose functionality of your vehicle?

Even Ford comprehensively stuffed up their LPG only Falcon sedan.
The spare wheel sits flat in the boot, wasting shed loads of space.
Whatever happen to the VN Commodore approach where the wheel stood vertical to the side?
If you could do this with the late model Ford SEDAN, and whack a donut tank in the usual spare location life would be good.

[Tonyz]

I dont see any reason why it couldnt be done. It shouldnt be much to cut out part of the boot area so the wheel can fit. But what do I know:o You may have to check around to find a reptuble dealer but then again talk with RACV get their ideas as well. Dont throw yours hands in the air cause one person says you cant do it. Tony

[lesmeyer]

Tonto,
as Ray has stated above, I have a sedan, not a wagon. I suppose it is just a matter of priorities. I need to transport timber in the ol sedan and with the passenger seat moved forward and backrest moved upwards, one can slide in 2.2m boards and the odd 2.4 then rests on the console.
Regards
Les

[Tonyz]

Les & Ray, I still cant see why part of the boot area cant be cut so the spare would fit vertical. Like to see how you get on.. Tony

[jow104]

You can always tow your gas tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, or wheel, or timeber.

[Redgy]

We had our AU2 done in June, so I'm really really p'd off with this decision about the $2k. However still happy I did it cause it was costing us $100 a week to run which now costs us $35. Yep we lost some boot space but our kids are at the age we don't cart prams, nappy bags & all that crap so wasn't an issue. Had the car 5 years & never folded the seat down once. My 4WD is also on gas so we are sitting pretty right now & like someone said if it goes up 12c, big deal, it will still be cheaper than $3,4,5? a litre that petrol will be in 2012.

Still fuming about the $2k though....that's half a cube of wood Johny could've bought me :mad:

Reg