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What is it?
Propane is sometimes referred to as Liquefied
Petroleum Gas, or LPG. It’s made from petroleum refining
and natural gas processing. Propane is normally a gas, but it’s
stored in liquid form on a vehicle. Once the propane enters the
engine, it becomes a gas again, which helps this fuel to burn
so cleanly. The propane fuel grade used in vehicles is called
HD-5.
Why Propane?
- Propane is widely available. Hawaii
has over 300 refueling sites throughout the islands.
- Propane fuel tanks are 20 times
more puncture resistant than conventional gasoline tanks.
- "Closed" fueling systems
prevent leaking and vapor emissions.
- Propane emits 60% lower carbon
monoxide and 50% lower reactive hydrocarbons than gasoline.
- Engines run by propane are cleaner
and last longer. Propane vehicles can have as much as double
the engine life of gasoline vehicles. Propane reduces lubricant
contamination by fuel and has little to no carbon build up in
combustion chambers or pistons.
- "Premium" gasoline has
octane ratings of 91-92. Propane's octane rating is 104.
Did you know?
- Both General Motors and Ford manufacture
propane vehicles.
- The oil, oil filter, and spark
plugs in a propane vehicle last up to three times longer than
in a vehicle running on gasoline.
- There are 3.5 million propane
vehicles worldwide. In the U.S., more than 350,000 vehicles are
fueled by propane.
- Propane is the third most widely
used motor fuel, ranking behind gasoline and diesel.
- Propane has been used as an alternative
transportation fuel for more than 60 years. In Hawaii, about
1,500 on-road and off-road vehicles are powered by propane.
- Vehicle conversions have been
available locally for over 20 years.
- In Honolulu, The Gas Company converts
and services propane vehicles at 515 Kamakee St.
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