On the other hand, are their any limitations in terms of autogas-powered cars use (e. g. no access to underground car parks)?
Autogas cars in Germany are not limited by any regulation. In most German federal states the regulations for underground car parks do not mention LPG at all. Some indicate a minimum ventilation requirement that is generally met when comlplying to other ventilation requirements not connected to autogas. There are still a few garage operators, who still display signs prohibiting the entry of gaseous fuelled vehicles. But they will usually take them down if informed correctly (and politely!) about the legal situation.
Which are more popular in Germany: factory conversions or retrofits?
By sheer number I would say retrofits of used cars are still leading the market. Although the new offers from the auto makers are very attractive and are gaining in popularity. Several are even offering autogas variants at no additional cost over their comparable gasoline models. In many cases the additional cost of the autogas option lies below the surcharge for a diesel model and well below € 1000. This has great potential to call fleet operators’ attention and be a game changer. More quality and better system integration for lower cost, who will say no?
How many autogas system installers are there in Germany?
That portion of the market is very difficult to assess. There are very many workshops who offer the additional service of installing a retrofit to their existing customers. Some do this intermittently. Generally speaking, it is becoming more and more difficult for small workshops with only below average levels of experience to compete against highly expert conversion centres often with the full support of the kit manufacturer and many times also with the support of the car manufacturer.
Do car manufacturers recognise the demand and broaden the range of factory-converted models?
Indeed! A few years back it was difficult to find one or two autogas models. Now you will find the diesel option missing from small cars replaced by either autogas or natural gas as is the case with Opel’s Adam and Volkswagen's up!, respectively.
Are there any regions in Germany where autogas is particularly popular, more then elsewhere?
No. Germany sees a quite homogenous popularity of autogas. The days where autogas was only popular in the extreme western or eastern parts are long gone. Germans have learned from their neighbours (Poland and the Netherlands) and have a good infrastructure throughout the whole country. The ability to cross the country on autogas only is hardly advertised anymore, because almost everyone feels that autogas is offered at virtually every second or third station. Generally speaking one can say that autogas sees a higher preference in areas where more driving needs to be done, that would be on the outskirts of larger cities and in the countryside.
Is CNG a threat with a potential to depose and replace LPG? Or maybe it's exactly the opposite?
In either case it has been shown that one should not be a fervent believer in one fuel or the other. After all, it is about meeting the customers’ mobility needs with the least total impact on the environment and on the family funds. I am glad to see any driver to choose CNG over conventional fuels, I am admittedly much happier when that driver does the math and figures out the best solution is autogas. With regards to development of both fuels in comparison, I think they cater to or at least generally attract quite different customers. One leading energy consultant thinks that in the year 2020 over 70% of the newly registered gaseous fuelled vehicles will run on LPG.
What are the prospects for the years to come? Will the market grow further or remain as it is today? Or maybe it will collapse?
Like many energy consultants, I see very favourable conditions for further growth of this truly Exceptional Energy. In the long run all strategic factors point to more LPG being available as a transport fuel. As this fact is no secret to car manufacturers it has triggered some car manufacturers to develop and market their own autogas versions. This should really speak for itself, shouldn’t it?
Indeed it should! Thank you for your time!
Thank you! Best of luck to all gazeo readers!
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