Reasons Why Individuals Continue to Convert Their Vehicles to Use Propane

      Josh Barnett

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      It's evident now that the auto industry will be powered by more than one type of fuel in the future. Gasoline is likely to remain dominant for an unknown duration, while diesel continues to be a preferred choice in many applications. However, predictions beyond that are uncertain. Porsche is investing in renewable e-fuels, while Toyota strongly believes that hydrogen is the solution. Currently, though, neither of these options is as widely utilized as propane auto gas, which is often overlooked but ranks as the third most popular engine fuel globally.

      This isn’t a promotional piece for the propane industry, I assure you. Rather, I want to take a moment to discuss why propane maintains such a strong presence in the alternative fuels arena. I recall school buses from my childhood that operated on propane, and I even had a science teacher whose F-150 had been modified to utilize liquefied petroleum gas. That said, I was unaware that it was the "best among the rest" outside of gasoline and diesel—at least in terms of popularity.

      I became aware of this when Suburban Propane reached out to inform me about an employee who had converted his EcoBoost Ford Mustang to run on propane. I thought, “That’s interesting, but why?” That was my starting point for understanding more.

      Josh Barnett is the Mustang owner in question. In his professional role, he works as a National Auto Gas sales representative for Suburban Propane. In his spare time, he's also a drag racer seeking to combine two of his passions: propane and racing. (You might have expected a King of the Hill reference here, didn’t you?)

      Barnett stated, “I wanted to demonstrate what propane can achieve beyond standard applications. What many don’t realize is that propane is a high-octane race fuel, with an octane rating between 113 and 125.”

      Additionally, it’s significantly cheaper than racing fuel, with a gallon of LPG averaging around $2.50. In Missouri, for example, it's currently priced even lower, under $2 per gallon. In comparison, traditional 104-octane fuel can reach $12 per gallon or more, even when purchased in 55-gallon barrels.

      Regarding Barnett's vehicle, he has made several enhancements alongside the propane conversion, compensating for any power loss caused by switching to LPG. The standout modification is an NX2 turbo, complemented by a Roush cold air intake, a high-flow exhaust, and 28-by-11.5-inch tires. Perhaps most intriguing is what his car lacks—a larger intercooler.

      This is because propane operates at very low temperatures. With a boiling point of -44 degrees Fahrenheit, it helps keep intake temperatures down significantly. Along with enabling safer boost adjustments, Barnett is also benefiting from increased air density—something turbocharged engines thrive on. Just ask Gale Banks.

      Then there's the sustainability factor, which may not be thrilling for everyone, but is equally significant. To gain further insights, I spoke with Doug Dagan, vice president of strategic initiatives at Suburban Propane. His title might suggest a high-ranking executive, but he began his career as a chemist.

      Dagan explained, “Diesel or gasoline contains long carbon atom chains. The way energy is derived from them is by breaking those chains, which releases energy, as seen during combustion in an engine.”

      In contrast, propane consists of just three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms.

      “When you have a propane tank, there are very few impurities compared to a diesel tank,” Dagan added. “Thus, burning propane produces far less particulate matter than burning diesel or gasoline. That’s the core reason it’s cleaner for air quality. From a climate perspective, it generates a higher energy output per carbon molecule emitted compared to diesel or gasoline, making it a cleaner molecule overall.”

      Lastly, there's the production aspect. Propane is a byproduct of crude oil refining and natural gas processing. Because it's captured during these processes, there’s no need for extensive extraction efforts to obtain propane.

      However, not every aspect of propane is an upgrade over gasoline. There’s the previously mentioned slight power reduction, as a gallon of LPG has 27% less energy than a gallon of gasoline, which also results in lower fuel efficiency. To counter this, Barnett’s truck actually starts on regular gasoline and then switches to propane auto gas, allowing him to travel approximately 750 miles between refueling thanks to this dual-tank system. Additionally, LPG lacks the same lubricating qualities as its more traditional counterparts.

      I don’t anticipate a massive shift of car enthusiasts from gasoline to propane in my lifetime. Nevertheless, it clearly serves certain individuals well, depending on their requirements and accessibility to LPG filling stations. While it may not be the ultimate fuel of the future for Porsche, Toyota, or others, it steadily