How much it costs to convert your petrol car to run on gas in South Africa

With petrol prices due for a steep rise next month, South Africans may be looking towards cheaper alternative fuel sources, which would require a pricey conversion.

One such conversion, which would allow a petrol-powered car to run on liquified petroleum gas (LPG), would cost R33,293, including VAT and installation, according to Isinkwe Energies.

The company, which partners with Ergon Equipment and Prins Autogas to do conversions, told our sister publication, MyBroadband, that LPG prices aren’t expected to rise as quickly as petrol and diesel in the coming months.

Isinkwe Energies managing director Kyle Hartley told MyBroadband, “We anticipate some movement in LPG pricing, though we don’t expect it to track at the same rate of change we are seeing with petrol and diesel prices.”

While petrol prices are now expected to increase by between R3.87 and R4.27 per litre, and diesel between R7.04 and R7.15 per litre, Isinkwe sells LPG for between R12.00 and R12.95 per litre, including VAT.

It is also worth noting that its prices have not changed since February.

Hartley previously told TopAuto that converting a petrol or diesel-powered car to run on LPG is a quick, non-invasive process that does not interfere with the vehicle’s mechanical workings.

A conversion entails a storage vessel installation, as well as a multivalve and a patented electronic vaporiser, fuel filter, injectors, and an electronic control unit under the hood.

A control switch is also fitted in the cabin, which allows the driver to select the fuel they want to use, as cars can be converted to run on multiple types of fuel.

The conversion can be completed in a matter of hours, meaning motorists won’t be off the road for very long.

It must also be noted that the cost of conversion, as well as savings on fuel costs, may differ depending on your vehicle and the LPG system of choice.

More than one alternative

South Africans looking to avoid the price crunch expected next month have various alternatives to petrol and diesel, as Isinkwe offers conversions to run on four alternative fuel types.

The Prins Dual Fuel System is a conversion that enables vehicles to run on four alternative fuels, including LPG, CNG, LNG, and H2 (hydrogen).

LPG is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases that are commonly used as fuel for various applications, and is a byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining.

CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a natural gas that has been compressed to a high pressure, typically around 3,600 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi).

Mainly comprised of methane, it is extracted from underground reservoirs, processed to remove impurities, and is commonly used as an alternative to conventional fuels such as petrol and diesel.

The third petrol alternative, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), is natural gas that has been cooled to a very low temperature to convert it into a liquid state.

Also mostly made of methane, LNG is used for various purposes, including energy supply and marine fuel, and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions and fewer air pollutants than other fossil fuels like coal or oil.

The final alternative, Hydrogen, has become a popular alternative fuel thanks to its zero emissions, producing only water vapour as a byproduct when used in fuel cells or combustion engines.

Isinkwe’s other systems are designed to be compatible with specific engines and layouts.

The Prins Silverline Bi-Fuel System is only suitable for 3 or 4-cylinder engines with a maximum power output of roughly 135kW to run on both petrol and LPG.

The Prins VSI (Vapour Sequential Injection) system is suitable for engines up to 16 cylinders and a power output of as much as 670kW, and uses LPG or CNG.

Specifically designed for direct injection engines, the Prins VSI-DI (Direct Injection) system delivers fuel injection while providing the benefits of Autogas without compromising on power.

The Prins VSI-3 DI LPG system offers a universal solution for a wide variety of vehicles, complying with global emission standards.

This system is highly efficient, allowing high performance and a smooth driving experience comparable to a petrol vehicle.