The fiery sting of pump prices is leaving a permanent mark on Kenyan wallets, sparking a surge in gas-powered cars sporting those tell-tale black bumper seals. With petrol at a scorching Ksh 217.36 per liter and LPG offering a cool Ksh 114 respite, a whopping Ksh 103.36 gap, it’s no wonder Kenyans, from delivery drivers to taxi hustlers and everyday commuters, are embracing LPG as their fuel savior. But how do you transform your trusty petrol steed into a gas guzzler? Is it safe? And what other benefits lie beyond the obvious wallet-warming allure? Buckle up, folks, because this article dives deep into the world of LPG conversions, answering all your burning questions and empowering you to make an informed decision about whether this fuel revolution is your personal road to savings and sustainability.
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How To Covert A Car From Petrol To LPG
In Kenya currently, installation of the LPG kit is being done by Pronto Energy under their brand OTOGAS.
From their website, they mention that LPG is a great way for businesses, car owners, and operators with high fuel bills to save on their vehicle running costs and to reduce carbon emissions as LPG is a cleaner, greener, and more cost-effective energy source than traditional fuels like diesel and petrol.
According to OTOGAS before they can commence the petrol to LPG conversion they need to inspect your vehicle first for any mechanical issues and give you a clean bill of health.
If for whatever reason your car does not pass the inspection one of their employees will walk you through what needs to be fixed for your car to be converted, how cool is that?
After a successful inspection, conversion begins. This process normally takes between 6-8 hours.
A diagram showing the components of an LPG kit and how they are installed.Image Courtesy: Otogas
The installation process involves installing a 3mm welded steel autogas tank which is stress-tested to many times its normal operating pressure prior to installation.
In addition, two electronically controlled shut-off solenoids are installed on the LPG tank and the reducer that’s placed under the bonnet. The purpose of this is to stop the flow of LPG autogas to the engine if the engine stops for any reason.
Further, pressure relief valves for the tank are also installed in order to prevent any pressure build-up that may damage the system, or be hazardous.
Lastly, compartments are sealed, venting and pipework are done to ensure no LPG enters the interior of the vehicle.
At this point, your car’s conversion from petrol to LPG is done and you’re given a free full tank of gas as a token of appreciation.
But before you can drive off and start enjoying your new pocket saver you need to pay for the service, or do you? Let’s find out below.
The Cost Of Converting a Car From Petrol to LPG (GAS) in Kenya
According to information available on the Otogas website, they have 2 options that you can choose from as far as costs are concerned.
These are conversion under outright and conversion under rental.
1. Conversion Under Outright
This is where you pay the conversion fee which starts from Ksh 55,000 upfront and thereafter, you purchase gas at ksh 114 per liter.
For you to qualify for this program you need the following:
- Successful pre-conversion engine inspection by the company.
- A copy of your national identification card.
- The vehicle logbook copy.
- A dully filled and signed conversion agreement form (provided by the company)
2. Conversion Under Rental
Under this program, you don’t pay a conversion fee. Yes, you read that right.
The conversion is done for free but you will be required to purchase gas at ksh 124 per liter thereafter.
In respect thereof, all legal and beneficial ownership of the gas kit remains with Otogas.
For you to qualify for this program you need the following:
- Successful pre-conversion engine inspection by the company.
- A copy of your national identification card.
- The vehicle logbook copy.
- A dully filled and signed rental and conversion agreement form which is provided by Otogas.
- 3 months trip history from 2 to 3 major online taxi operators that customers subscribe to.
Advantages of Converting a Vehicle From Petrol to LPG
Right off the bat, it goes without saying that you stand to save big on fuel bills as LPG is currently cheaper than petrol by a big margin and will continue being so for quite a long time.
Other advantages include:
- Long range – By having your vehicle installed with LPG you can essentially cover twice as much distance as you would have covered with petrol alone. This is because you have the 2 energy sources at your disposal, therefore, you can use LPG and then when you’re almost running out switch to petrol and continue with your journey.
- Safe for the environment – Global warming has become a real issue today and might become an even greater issue in the years to come if we all don’t play our part in caring for the environment. By converting your car to LPG you emit less carbon and therefore reducing your carbon footprint.
- Safer than petrol – Otogas tanks are designed to withstand even the most extreme conditions, and if for any reason LPG escapes the tank it just dissipates into the air.
- A wide range of vehicles can be converted – Any vehicle manufactured on or after 1st January 2001 can be converted to use the LPG kit
Disadvantages of Converting a Vehicle From Petrol to LPG
- Loss of the spare wheel or part of the boot as these are the places where the new LPG tank will be placed.
- Unlike petrol LPG is not powerful and therefore you cannot run fully on gas alone you will need to use petrol at some point especially when overtaking or going up a hill.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to cut down on fuel costs or simply want to emit less carbon you cannot go wrong by installing a gas kit on your car.
The benefits are tremendous as we have covered above and based on how the auto industry is evolving in the near future, we might all completely ditch gas-powered cars and shift to other alternatives. We have seen a surge in hybrid cars, electric cars, and gas-powered cars.