Well-to-Wheels analysis shows Autogas has the lowest carbon emissions: setting the standard for environmentally friendly fuels

A recently updated German study demonstrates that Autogas compares favourably with compressed natural gas in Western Europe.  

The big picture

Contrary to common belief, airborne emissions from road vehicles come not just from the exhaust pipe. The zero-emissions vehicle, which is currently been hyped, is actually a myth. Neither hydrogen, nor biofuels nor the pure battery-powered electric vehicle are genuinely emissions-free, as in having zero impact on the environment. When assessing the impact of a fuel on the environment, especially its potential to contribute to climate change, and when comparing alternative fuels like Autogas to conventional fuels, one needs to take into account all aspects of the supply of the fuel, as well as how much of it is consumed in the vehicle.

LP Gas is a by-product of the extraction of petroleum and natural gas, of the refining of petroleum products and the production of synthetic liquid fuels, including – in some cases – those from renewable sources. Supply of LP Gas is set to continue to expand in the coming years, particularly with increased production of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as the separation of methane from other products contained in the natural gas stream is performed more easily in the liquefaction process. The portability and ease of transportation of LP Gas as a commodity fuel also favours the development of the market. The fuel’s environmental advantages provide a further reason to be confident about the prospects for demand for LP Gas in general and Autogas in particular.

Providing information on the benefits  of using Autogas isn’t the end of the story. Only a holistic comparison with other fuels, taking all their different attributes into account can provide a solid basis for evaluation. Given the practical constraints on a number of alternative transport fuels, it makes sense to compare the environmental characteristics of Autogas against those of its main competitor: compressed natural gas (CNG). 

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