Why Aren’t Propane (LPG) Powered Cars More Popular?

Throughout the centuries, cars have used various fuel sources. 

Gasoline is the most popular one by far, with an estimated 92.1% of the 288.5 million vehicles in the US being gas-powered. Electricity has also been explored as a viable source of fuel for vehicles. 

The same can be said for propane, which was accepted as an alternative clean fuel source as a result of the 1990 Clean Air Act. 

However, it’s estimated that only 220,000 on-road vehicles in the US use propane-powered engines, 13,000 of which are school buses. Off-road, it’s estimated that 450,000 forklifts in the US are powered by propane as well.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: The big propane trucks used to refill home propane tanks are modified when new to fuel their engines using propane from their huge onboard storage tanks rather than gasoline. They literally never run out of fuel.

Though propane is a cleaner energy source, it’s decidedly not as popular as gasoline. But why exactly is this the case, and what benefits do propane-powered engines really have to offer?

Why Aren’t Propane-Powered Cars More Popular?

Propane works well as a fuel source for vehicles, but many problems come with it. For example, it has less energy density than gasoline, is much harder to find compared to gasoline at gas stations, and has low demand, which makes it a niche fuel source.

Limited Availability

Gas stations typically only have gasoline. Because most vehicles in the market are powered by gas, it’s become a widely accepted fuel source that’s readily available in gas stations all across the country.

Though you might be able to buy propane at most gas stations, it won’t be available in all of them, making refueling a propane-powered vehicle an uphill battle.

Lower Energy Density

Propane has lower energy density than gasoline, meaning the tanks must be bigger to accommodate a usable fuel supply.

A gallon of propane has 27% less energy than a gallon of gasoline. So, while propane has power comparable to gasoline, it isn’t as powerful.

Frequent refueling is also a must with propane, despite the larger tank. Depending on your driving habits, you might have to spend a lot of money to keep your propane-powered vehicle on the road.

Low Demand

Another reason why there aren’t many propane-powered cars on the roads is that propane isn’t a popular energy source.

Gasoline has been the most widely used and encouraged fuel source for vehicles for a long time. Those in the market for a more eco-friendly alternative often go for electric vehicles and hybrid cars. Few consider propane as a fuel option.

Are Propane-Powered Engines Worth It?

Even though they aren’t the norm, having a propane-powered engine is worth it for some vehicles, particularly those used for industrial and commercial purposes. This includes, but isn’t limited to:

• Forklifts
• Buses
• Recreational Vehicles
• Taxi Cabs
• Delivery Trucks

But if gasoline is easily obtainable and a much more widely used fuel source, what makes propane so attractive?

Benefits of Propane Power

Propane-powered engines are used in various vehicle types largely because they’re more cost-effective than gasoline-powered engines. They require less maintenance and cost less than gasoline. They’re also environmentally friendly, have more energy security, and have performance almost on par with gasoline-powered engines.

More Cost-Effective

Propane burns cleaner and produces less soot, reducing carbon buildup in the engine. That means fewer visits to the mechanic, contributing to cost savings as time progresses.

Environmentally Friendly

One of the biggest reasons drivers use propane-powered cars over gasoline-powered cars is that they’re better for the environment. Propane produces fewer greenhouse gases when it’s burned, resulting in less smog-producing hydrocarbons and toxins in the air.

In other words, propane-powered vehicles are an excellent choice for environmentally-conscious drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Performance Comparable to Gas Power

Propane-powered vehicles are serviceable and can be used in day-to-day drives the same way as gasoline-powered cars. You won’t have to worry about a propane-fueled car failing you on the road unless you get into an accident or neglect maintenance.

Energy Security

An advantage propane has over gasoline as a power source is that it’s produced domestically.

90% of propane in the US is produced domestically, meaning you won’t have to worry about needing to have your vehicle’s fuel source imported from other countries. This increases your energy security because propane is affordable and can be obtained reliably without having to worry about price fluctuation.