Your Diesel vehicle can run on LPG!

A new technical process proposes converting Diesel-powered vehicles to GPL hybridization (liquefied Petroleum gas).

Diesel-GPL hybridization. For those who have some understanding of automotive technology, this may seem impossible. But as impossible is not French, the organization « 40 Million Motorists » presents the process developed by Greenolis SAS, a French start-up founded in 2020. “Each vehicle that enters one of our partner workshops for conversion undergoes a reception within 48 hours, confirming it complies with current homologation rules,” assures Iphigénie KAMENI, founder of Greenolis. Like any vehicle running on LPG, it also becomes eligible for the Crit’Air 1 sticker, regardless of its first registration date. ”

However, the conversion is not cheap, costing around 3,000 euros. Currently, LPG is the cheapest fuel at stations, costing less than one euro per liter, making it very economical to use despite a slight increase in consumption compared to traditional fossil fuels. You must be a frequent driver to recoup such an investment, but the benefits go beyond that. Driving on LPG offers a CO2 emissions reduction of about -15% compared to gasoline cars and significantly reduces particulate and NOx emissions. These environmental benefits make it eligible for the Crit’Air 1 sticker in any case, a precious key to circulate in low-emission zones.

In accordance with the so-called “Energy Transition for Green Growth” and “Mobility Orientation” laws, passed in August 2015 and December 2019 respectively, 11 major French metropolitan areas have so far implemented a Low Emission Zone for mobility, which specifically bans the most polluting vehicles based on their Air Quality Certificates, also known as “Crit’Air stickers.” By 2025, 43 medium and large cities across the metropolitan territory will be affected by this regulation. It is estimated that about 48% of the current vehicle fleet, more than 13.4 million passenger cars rated Crit’Air 3, 4, 5, or unclassified, will be banned from circulation in ZFE-m zones. Additionally, over the longer term, 14.2 million passenger cars rated Crit’Air 2 will also be affected.

The GPL conversion thus allows continued use of a vehicle that would otherwise be parked in the garage. This is good news for many households that need a daily vehicle but cannot afford to buy a new model. The question remains whether it is more advantageous to retrofit an old car with this device or opt for a brand-new electric car for less than 100 euros per month offered through Social Leasing. Honestly, the latter option seems more reasonable to us.