Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) conversions have drawn increased attention in the Kenyan market following recent fuel shortages as well as increases in the price of fossil fuels.

With attractive price points, LPG is proving to be a needed and viable alternative fuel option for motorists around the country.

OtoGas Kenya Limited is an energy company that is powered by Proto Energy Limited to convert gasoline- powered vehicles to vehicles that can run on LPG under the brand name, OtoGas. Having started in 2018, the company has grown and converted approximately 7,000 vehicles across the country.

For a vehicle to qualify for the conversion, it goes through a standard check at their stations at Cents on the Eastern Bypass, Kayole and Kampala Road in Nairobi. The inspection involves ensuring that the vehicle has a quality petrol engine as well as capacity. This ensures the rightful allocation of the ideal fuel tank. After a vehicle passes the inspection, it then proceeds to the workshop for the conversion process to begin.

“The LPG conversion components involve fitting a car engine with tools that make it possible for a driver to alternate between the two modes from inside the vehicle at the click of a button,” says Waithaka Maina, marketing officer at OtoGas.

For a driver to start a ride, he turns the ignition while running on petrol. After a few seconds, the dashboard switch shows the vehicle is ready to run on LPG. “Having two fuel tanks also allows you to increase the range and distance travelled. When you run out of LPG or a filling station is not in proximity, your vehicle switches seamlessly back to petrol,” Waithaka adds.

Last year, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) approved insurance for LPG- fitted vehicles. This is after it conducted an on-site visit to Proto Energy Ltd, an energy company, and the inspection tour of the gas plant showed that there is no increased risk in the issue of covers for LPG-powered vehicles.

AKI also reported that converting your car to use LPG will cost you around KSh55,000 while servicing the unit will cost you KSh1,833 after every 10,000 kilometres. Servicing fossil-powered vehicles will cost you between an average of KSh4,000- KSh6,000 after every 10,000 kilometres.

George Kinyanjui, a technician at OtoGas ltd says that the conversion process takes a minimum of 5-6 hours. A client’s vehicle determines the type of tank that is installed; either a toroidal tank (internal and external) or a cylindrical tank.

Majority of Kenyan private cars have internal toroidal tanks mounted in the trunk of the vehicle, just in place of the spare wheel. PSVs (public service vehicles) on the other hand have external toroidal tanks set beneath the vehicle at the rear end. Cylindrical tanks are installed in vehicles such as Toyota Noah and Toyota Voxy mainly because of space limitations.

The additional gadgets a vehicle is fitted with include a tank, a separate engine control unit (ECU) that manages the gas system, a multivalve that controls gas into and out of the tank in a safe manner, a gas regulator with built-in safety features, an electronic gas injection rail as well as a fuel level indicator and dashboard switch.

OtoGas installs LPG systems for PSVs on a leasing model where they rent for free. The advantage is that they get to refill fuel at KSh89 per litre as compared to private motorists who refill at KSh99 per litre.

This new technology infuses LPG, used for cooking in most homes, to generate a spark, ignite and run a vehicle. In essence, this means that it works as a dual-fuel system that turns a vehicle into a hybrid that runs on both regular petroleum and LPG as fuel.

Waithaka also adds that converting a vehicle from petrol to gas does not mean that the petrol tank must be removed, rather, the equipment is added to allow the driver to use either at will.

For easy identification, after conversion, vehicles converted at OtoGas are provided with a sticker that shows they are LPG powered. These stickers are often placed at the rear of the vehicle. The fitting unit cap at the bottom left of a vehicle also differentiates LPG vehicles from regular vehicles.

Besides being fuel efficient the technology is also said to be environmentally friendly by helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as preventing carbon build up in the vehicle’s engine as it burns cleaner and leaner than petrol. Driving on LPG also appears smoother than when using petrol as the engine is quieter and the engine oil remains cleaner for longer, extending the engine’s lifespan.

According to Waithaka, concerns about safety while driving an LPG-powered vehicle is an issue raised by many people but this is often due to a lack of information. “Safety in case of an accident is taken care of by inline gas cut-off. In case of a leakage as well, the gas tank automatically shuts off,” he adds.

Kinyanjui also adds that in case of an accident, the solenoid sensors at the multivalve block the flow of gas immediately. During a refilling, the tank is filled up to 80% to leave space for expansion as well as to have space that allows the tank to deform and take the shape of an accident, minimizing the chances of an explosion.

“Our plans are to expand our operations countrywide to reach more customers as well as to educate the masses on the properties of LPG gas,” he adds.

Economically, LPG as a source of alternative fuel has and continues to boost the country’s economy as it will open opportunities for smaller enterprises to open supply points across the country.