LPG Conversion - 2006 Prius

You'll find that lpg conversions aren't too popular in the USA but they are in Europe and Japan. I previously thought about it myself but the high cost of lpg in my area doesn't make it a worthwhile consideration like it would have been a few years ago.

There have been a few threads on the subject in the past though as follows;

http://priuschat.com/forums/international-owners/90533-considering-lpg-conversion-prius.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...oyota-prius-2nd-gen-converted-lpg-bybrid.html

 

correct sir, they are unheard of in US to say the least

 

Never having been to the US I can't comment but I read the following on wikipedia which appears to indicate some popularity;

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogas[/ame]

Autogas is on the rise in the United States. Today, the United States has more than 200,000 autogas vehicles on the road, accounting for just 2% of the world’s total. In 2005, a provision was enacted that placed a 50-cent-per-gallon tax credit on propane autogas as part of H.R. 4853, making it $1-per-gallon cheaper than petrol on average. The alternative fuel credit was extended in 2010 and remains in effect until the end of 2011. Currently, more than 90% of the country’s autogas is domestically produced.[23]
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogas_for_America"]Autogas for America[/ame] claims to be the unified voice of the autogas industry in the United States. Composed of autogas experts, transportation industry specialists and environmental advocates, Autogas for America says it "leverages industry cooperation to widen recognition of autogas among the US public, media and government."[24]

Autogas is refered to as lpg or autogas here in the UK. Perhaps it was the different name that confused?

 

there are many CNG vehicles on the road; that is fleet vehicles (big service companies, buses, etc) but they have their own private facilities. In terms of personal use cars there are none to speak of, and I am yet to see a public CNG gas station.

It is hard to make an economic case for conversion, for someone driving Prius 30,000mi annual with $4/gal it still costs less then 200$ a month to fill up. For someone driving 15MPG truck it would, however cost of conversion and lack of infrastructure makes it easier to trade it in for 40MPG econobox.

Honda sells CNG Civic GX, and it probably makes sense in California, where they do have CNG gas stations. But then would you buy a car which can be used for nothing but commuting, if you can buy a base Prius for less?