LPG — also called autogas — is a cheaper fuel that a lot of drivers overlook. Here's what it is and how to find it.
What LPG actually is
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is a mix of propane and butane, stored as a liquid under modest pressure. In cars it's used as autogas, powering petrol engines that have been fitted with an LPG conversion. The car keeps its petrol tank and can usually switch between the two fuels.
Why drivers choose it
- Lower fuel cost. LPG is typically cheaper per litre than petrol or diesel, often significantly, which is the main draw for high-mileage drivers.
- Lower emissions of some pollutants compared with petrol.
- Dual-fuel flexibility. If you can't find LPG, you switch back to petrol and keep going.
The trade-offs
LPG contains less energy per litre than petrol, so you'll use a bit more of it — the saving comes from the lower price, not lower consumption. Conversions cost money up front, so LPG pays off mainly for drivers doing high mileage. And fuelling up requires a station that stocks it, which brings us to the important part.
Availability is patchy and regional. LPG is common in parts of Europe (Poland, Italy and Turkey have dense networks) and much rarer elsewhere. Planning stops matters more than it does for petrol or diesel.
Finding LPG on the map
On the Refuelia live map, use the LPG filter to hide everything except stations that sell it. On a longer trip through an area with thin coverage, plan your refuels around the stations you can see, and don't let the LPG tank run near empty when the next station is far off — you can always run on petrol to reach it.
Fuelling safely
LPG filling differs from petrol: you connect a nozzle to a filler point and the pump often has a dead-man switch you hold. Many countries require a short briefing or a simple licence card the first time. If you're new to it, ask the attendant to show you once — it's straightforward after that.
Ready to use it? Open the live map to find real stations and chargers near you, check their current status, and add what you see for the next driver.