Comment on This fuel costs as little at 80c a litre in Australia. So why isn't everyone using it?

luthis@lemmy.nz ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

• thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Most LPG cars I’ve ever encountered were Commodores and Falcons (both factory and aftermarket).

  Even though now, more than ever, with the increased size of vehicles on the road (thanks to the massive uptick in US-style „trucks”) LPG conversions make sense on paper - there are a LOT of pain-points:

  1. Upfront cost of conversion is high
  2. Requires an additional fuel tank, taking up precious room in trays
  3. Difficult to find servos that still carry LPG
  4. Fuel capacity is lower, requiring fill ups more often - especially as usage rate is ~20% higher per 100km
  5. The rotting cabbage additives added to make leaks noticeable
  6. Connection can be a pain in the ass to screw on when filling up
  7. Reductions to torque and horsepower can make vehicles feel sluggish

  I’m sure there are a bunch of other reasons I’m missing just off the top of my head.

  Honestly, for people who live in other suburbia and can’t get by on public transport, a switch to a combination of pure EVs, PHEVs and/or hybrids where the engine is purely a generator would be a much better long-term solution.

  source

  • Taleya@aussie.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    mate of mine converted his divvy to a hybrid. Doesn’t drive it as much now though as it’s now got heritage plates

    source

    • thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Given how far EV batteries have come over the past decade alone, I’m surprised we don’t see more EV/Hybrid conversion kits available on the market.

      source

      • Salvo@aussie.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        They are available in other markets, but due to factors like the cost of labour in Australia, the cost of importing to Australia and the all investment capital is being tied up in property makes it unfeasible as a business.

        Also the Right-Wing nut bags who are likely to firebomb any business that doesn’t align with the political views that are feed to them through corporate astroturf campaigns doesn’t help either.

        source
      • zurohki@aussie.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Hybrids are very complicated mechanically, I’m not surprised hybrid conversions aren’t a thing.

        EV conversions do exist, it’s just that they’re too expensive to be worthwhile. You mostly only see classic cars converted.

        You pay $20,000 for the hardware, another $15,000 for mechanics to spend a week gutting and rebuilding your car and wind up with a car with a worn interior, suspension, steering, etc, no modern features and a short range for more than the price of a brand new long range EV.

        If you want an EV, you’re much better off selling your car and buying a used EV.

        source
• FippleStone@aussie.zone ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Service station or petrol station please, calling it gas is an Americanism

  source

  • luthis@lemmy.nz ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    My apologies, I worked at a petrol station.

    source