LPG producers Calor have launched a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) range extender for delivery vehicles in conjunction with the Dutch EV specialist EMOSS.

The LPG range extender uses the gas, a byproduct of petrol production, to drive an electric generator that charges the battery that supplies the electric motor.

According to Calor, the LPG range extender will deliver lower carbon emissions than petrol, while extending a vehicles range from around 40 miles to 250 miles. The technology also offers the opportunity for a GOPS ringfence to be added to cut emissions to zero when operating in low or zero emissions zones.

As well as LPG, Calor has announced it is to offer ‘Bio-LPG’ from 2018, that offers significant environmental benefits over existing petrol and diesel range extender technologies.

Paul Blacklock, head of strategy and corporate affairs at Calor, said: “With trucks fitted with LPG range extenders able to switch entirely to electric when operating in city centres or air quality zones, while already offering improved emission performance when compared with conventional fuels, we are excited to announce this ground-breaking transport innovation.”

LPG has been around for smaller vehicles for quite some time. There is an established network of LPG stations around the UK and EU – far more than are available for CNG that is used for heavy HGVs. The chief issue with LPG is that it being a byproduct of petrol, it can vary in quality and therefore calorific value per tank. Being significantly better than petrol or diesel in terms of CO2 emissions however, this would mean that a hybrid running with Calor’s new technology could be significantly better in terms of overall fleet emissions.

 
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