LPG, FlexFuel, Hybrid: Alternatives to consider
It's true, all these cars are polluting. Sometimes their interest between a thermal car and an electric car is relative. But they also sometimes bring together the best of both worlds. Studies show that one in two owners of an electric car is worried about its possibilities of finding a charging station when traveling in a public space, while conventional combustion-powered cars pollute, and the cost of it. gasoline continues to increase. With cars running on alternative energies, the question arises differently because they are, in a way, actors of the transition!
Cars running on LPG, a declining alternative
Cars running on LPG are less many today than a few years ago, because few bought new. This system has a somewhat unjustified bad reputation, due to the risk of gas tank explosion which appeared in rare cases about twenty years ago! Today, these systems are all secure. And the big advantage of LPG is that it is much cheaper than gasoline!
In comparison, 1l of LPG costs between € 0.70 and € 0.90 when the liter of diesel or unleaded soared above 1 € 50! You just have to find a station that offers them, but the French network has a good number of them, well distributed over the territory (available on the net).
In all cases, the car works in principle bi-fuel so if you run out of LPG, you can continue driving unleaded while waiting to refuel. We therefore have the benefit of the double tank which is another advantage, since the autonomy is extended.
The savings achieved by running on LPG are therefore proven, even if LPG consumes more than gasoline (around 20% more than unleaded, up to 45% more than diesel). The system can be installed on a majority of aftermarket cars, but is quite expensive (around € 1,500 for a kit). Some cars can be fitted with it as standard (like the Dacia). The car thus operates on the principle of dual fuel, that is to say it can run on gasoline and gas. It should not be confused with cars running on hydrogen.
In the register of advantages, we also note that the payment of gray card is exempted in part or in whole in the majority of French regions. , or a saving of a few hundred euros on average. For ecological bonuses and penalties, LPG cars follow the same rules as thermal cars, but they generally emit less CO2. Finally, cars running on LPG are eligible for the conversion premium (former scrapping premium). Few cars offer the original LPG today, but it is a very good alternative solution, especially on entry-level cars (Dacia, Fiat Tipo, Citroën, Opel)!
The supply of new cars equipped with original equipment is now quite limited, while the network of petrol pumps offering it is also reduced for the time being. It is therefore a plausible alternative but which will undoubtedly be less effective than LPG. The registration of cars with original equipment is also free or at a reduced price.
Flexfuel cars, the other forgotten thermal alternative
The so-called "FlexFuel" cars are a final alternative. These are gasoline cars that have the possibility of running on bio-ethanol (E85). Cars running on superethanol-E85 offer an interesting gain when going to the pump: the liter is generally less than € 0.80 and can even go down to around € 0.50! The overconsumption can reach 30% if you drive 100% on E85, it can drop if it is mixed with gasoline on the average of a full tank. However, this fuel is less polluting.
So on an average car, which consumes about 7l / 100km, consumption can quickly flirt with 10l / 100km. Only in view of the price of this fuel, and even if we consume more than with a conventional petrol car, we will always save money in the end.
All recent petrol cars can be converted to flex fuel thanks to the addition of an additional box managing the operation of the engine with ethanol in addition to unleaded, with the aim of optimal mechanical operation with E85. The approval conditions for these boxes remained unclear for a long time but the decree of November 30, 2017 relating to the approval and installation conditions of these devices brought order and consistency to this modification, which is now possible without risk.
The supply of new cars equipped with original equipment is now quite limited, while the network of petrol pumps offering it is also limited for the time being . It is therefore a plausible alternative but which will undoubtedly be less effective than LPG. The registration of cars with original equipment is also free or at a reduced price.
Hybrid cars: the happy medium of the energy transition
Hybrid cars have been the most successful in recent years within alternative cars. Bringing together the best of both worlds, they combine an electric motor with a heat engine. They therefore make it possible to travel electrically when conditions are the most favorable (city, low speed and contained acceleration) and to switch to the gasoline engine in more intense driving conditions (road, motorway, clear acceleration).
It is a good alternative, especially as the choice of models has widened. Electric autonomy remains contained but is sufficient for urban journeys. It is generally 20 to 50 kilometers in real conditions, which is sufficient for the city. Today some cars can run entirely electric above 50km / h which can extend the range of action in 100% electric.
The last few years have seen the development of plug-in hybrid cars, that can be recharged on an outlet to always have the battery full. Many brands offer models for all budgets: Toyota, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Lexus, Peugeot, Citroën, Nissan…
There are advantages and disadvantages to hybrid cars. They are acclaimed for their driving comfort, smoothness and quietness at low speeds, as well as for their reduced fuel consumption. They also make it possible to obtain an ecological bonus and to pollute less. However, they are more expensive than their combustion engine counterparts (sometimes a difference of at least € 5,000 between the same model), so the use of a hybrid must be financially attractive.
