After testing these two cars bi-fuel petrol and liquefied petroleum gas LPG (Autogas), the Citroen C3 LPG and Fiat Punto LPG, we can ensure that savings are assured about their equivalent versions that only use a fuel to propel . If to this you add subsidies to purchase such cars, if you really want a car that save a bi-fuel petrol / LPG car is a more serious alternative. I showed him data.

We wanted to check cost effectiveness to drive a car bi-fuel petrol / LPG (Petroleum liquid gas) Compared to the equivalent version with a single fuel and then face each of these bi-fuel -the Fiat Punto 77 HP 1.4 LPG and the Citroen C3 1.4 95hp LPG – each other to see which is more advisable.

According to the hard work of our fellow measurement Highway Technical Center, in the case of GLP point and Citroen C3, consumption data collected by one or other combustible reflect a higher spending GLP around 25 percent on whether the car only uses gasoline. To obtain an approximate spending as LPG, must first convert gasoline consumption (l / 100 km) in LPG consumption. Previously, you should bear in mind that is not the same kg / 100 km L / 100 km, as the equivalence is not one to one. A liter of fuel, in this case, gasoline, has a density (Weight) 760 grams (Or 0.760 kg). In the case of Point, gasoline mode the average expenditure has been obtained 6.02 l / 100 km who converted to kg / 100 km gives us 4.57 kg / 100 km. In mode GLP, obtained spending grows 5.71 kg / 100 km.

It Fiat Punto Punto LPG versus petrol only, is it profitable?

Fiat Punto 1.4 77 HP LPG Easy: 16,650 euros

Fiat Punto 1.4 77 CV Easy: 14,750 euros

1,900 euros more expensive bi-fuel LPG version

Fiat Punto 1.4 77 HP LPG Easy: 16,650 euros

Fiat spending half way point gasoline 6.02 l / 100 km (4.57 kg / 100 km)

Piat medium + 25% LPG mode expenditure point: 5.71 kg / 100 km

Bifuel fuel tank: 38 liters (54.72 euros full)

LPG tank: 21 kg (15.54 euros full)

TOTAL: 70.26 euros the two reservoirs

GLP autonomy: 297 km

Fuel autonomy: 631 km

Autonomy TOTAL: 928 km

With these data, we propose go 1,000 km only in GLP mode, ie circulating and LPG refueling only. In Point, they are used around 57.1 kg to go that thousand km. With the registered price GLP at the time of our test (0.74 euros), those 1,000 km fees cost 42,25 euros.

We turn now to Point in gasoline mode. The average expenditure obtained is 6.02 l / 100 km which implies use around 60.2 liters To scroll through these 1,000 km. With the average price of unleaded petrol 95 obtained during our tests (1,44 euros / liter), we invested a total of 86,68 euros to travel 1,000 km. You see, the savings from using only LPG to use only gasoline is clear (we have saved 44.43 euros). If you get to the 30,000 km only circulating in GLP, you’ve been able to save some more 1,300 euros.

Fiat Punto 1.4 77 CV Easy: 14,750 euros

(Not tested by Technical Center)

Fuel: 45 liters

TOTAL: 64,80 euros (full)

Average expenditure petrol: 5.7 l / 100 km (official)

Autonomy TOTAL: 789 km (theoretical as official consumption)

We use the same reference above those 1,000 km and let’s compare those 57.1 kg we needed to GLP, regarding 57 liters fuel needs Punto 1.4 77 bhp petrol only to travel that same distance. We compare spending: the LPG 42.25 euros compared to 82.08 euros Point gasoline. There is therefore a saving of 39.83 euros. In our extrapolation to 30,000 km, with LPG would save 1,194.90 euros compared to gasoline only point according to government spending (in actual spending, sure can exceed 1,300 euros of savings 30,000 km)

Citroën C3 versus LPG gas, is profitable?

Citroen C3 1.4 95hp LPG Seduction: 15,200 euros

Citroën C3 1.2 VTi 82 hp Collection: 13,790 euros

1,410 euros more expensive LPG

Citroen C3 average expenditure in petrol mode: 5.69 l / 100 km (4.32 kg / 100 km)

Citroen average expenditure in GLP mode C3 + 25% 5.4 kg / 100 km

Bifuel fuel tank: 50 liters (72 euros full)

LPG tank: 17 (kg) (12.58 euros full)

TOTAL: 84.58 euros the two reservoirs

GLP autonomy: 314 km

Fuel autonomy: 878 km

Autonomy TOTAL: 1192 km

With these data, we propose go 1,000 km only mode GLP, ie circulating and LPG refueling only. At C3, They are used around 54 kg to go that thousand km. With the current price of LPG (0.74 euros), these 1,000 km fees cost 39,96 euros.

We turn now to C3 in mode gasoline. The average expenditure is obtained 5.69 l / 100 km which involves employing around 56.9 liters To scroll through these 1,000 km. With the average price of unleaded petrol 95 obtained during our tests (1,44 euros / liter), We invested a total of 81.93 euros to travel 1,000 km. You see, the savings from using only LPG to use only gasoline is clear (we have saved 41.97 euros). If you get to the 30,000 km only circulating GLP, you’ve been able to save a 1,259 euros.

Citroën C3 1.2 VTi 82 hp Collection: 13,790 euros

Fuel only 50 liters (72 euros full)

Average gas cost only 6.09 l / 100 km

TOTAL autonomy: about 820 km

We use the same reference above those 1,000 km and let’s compare those 54 kg we needed to GLP, regarding 60.90 liters made out of fuel you need the C3 1.2 82 hp only of gasoline to travel the same distance. We compare the economic cost: the 39,96 euros of the GLP against the 87.69 euros Point gasoline. There is, therefore saving 47.73 euros. In our extrapolation to 30,000 km, with GLP would save 1431.90 euros C3 compared to gasoline only.

LPG has aid for the purchase

According to the Autonomous Community, aid for purchasing LPG bi-fuel car this can reach up to 2,000 euros (in Madrid, for example, is 1,000 euros). The prices listed above are versions without adding official support, so if you decide to buy a bi-fuel LPG from that moment and are offsetting the difference from the equivalent petrol version only. Subsidies for purchasing LPG car, one click.

GLP Citroen C3 1.4 vs Fiat Punto 1.4 LPG

After checking the saving obtained in circulation mode GLP only according to the gasoline in the case of each of these versions compared to equivalent non bi-fuel (gasoline use only), it is now C3 face the front GLP GLP Point. After driving both by the most varied conditions, overall pleased as to performance, Delivery of force, poise and consumption, he C3 result winner. Those over 20 horsepower and more torque in favor of the French model are key to dictaminarlo winner in the dynamic section.

As usual in this type of vehicle, in both you have to get used to not carry spare wheel (Both offer a reparapinchazos kit). Where is usually housed spare wheel is where is located the LPG tank, in the same way and almost capacity (21 kg per 17 kg Point C3).

A positive element in the Fiat Punto LPG in front of Citroen C3: Italian offers gauge fuel tank LPG in the tachometer and speedometer, while the C3 has a lower left in a somewhat remote, forcing you to look away from the road while driving position if you want to see which is the level of LPG.

Saving tips: stretching up the LPG tank

With this type of bi-fuel vehicles, you circularás safer and less uncertainty thrown stay (as with a pure electric). In our experience, one of the secrets to really save is to make maximum use of LPG tank and having located a few stations where available autogas (the trade name of liquefied petroleum gas). If you make a long trip, plan your route to try to refuel as far as possible in spots that do have LPG. Fortunately, unlike the case with charging points for electric cars, the number of points to make is itself growing significantly. (Where refueled LPG, a click)

Some peculiarities of GLP

In these two cars and the rest of this type, start always it occurs with gasoline. After a while, in the Point automatically switches to GLP, although the driver can select the fuel which is circulating through a button placed in the center of the dashboard. In the case of C3, to change from one fuel to another, simply holding down the bottom button on the left side (in the position where the level of LPG tank is).

As for the refueling, the filler neck GLP It is close to that of the gasoline, with a smaller (at least in these two vehicles) round hole. In order to adapt to the special hose, in this case both Fiat and Citroën factory provide a special adapter elongated connecting with the filler hose. This union is almost perfect, producing a small gas outlet (Safely) as a result of Pressure to disconnect. Refueling time is similar to when repostas gasoline.

When driving one or the other and depending on the fuel, there are not many differences sensations of greater or lesser acceleration or more or less noise. What we have been seen in the case of Citroën C3, it is that from 5000 rpm if driving with LPG engine automatically switches to petrol.

For you to check data benefits of each other, you attach the data measured by our Technical center.

Fiat Punto 77 HP 1.4 LPG
	Gasoline	GLP
max (CV to rpm) power	81.5 to 5.790	78.5 to 6.320
maximum torque (Nm at rpm)	12.1 to 3.380	12.2 to 3.080
Acceleration	Gasoline	GLP
0 to 50 km / h (s)	4.8	4.7
0 to 100 km / h (s)	15.4	15.3
0 to 1,000 meters (s)	36.7	36.7
Overtaking
2nd of 20 to 50 km / h (s)	5.0	4.9
in 4th from 80 to 120 km / h (s)	16.3	16.5
in 5th from 80 to 120 km / h (s)	24.6	24.9
Interior noise	dBA	dBA
80 km / h	64.2	64.5
100 km / h	67.2	67.7
120 km / h	70.9	70.5
Citroen C3 1.4 95hp LPG
	Gasoline	GLP
max (CV to rpm) power	105.5-6240	105.7-6350
maximum torque (Nm at rpm)	13.8-4100	13.8-4140
Acceleration
0 to 50 km / h (s)	3.5	3.6
0 to 100 km / h (s)	11.3	11.4
0 to 1,000 meters (s)	33.0	33.1
Overtaking
2nd of 20 to 50 km / h (s)	4.2	4.4
in 4th from 80 to 120 km / h (s)	11.4	11.8
in 5th from 80 to 120 km / h (s)	16.9	17.1
Interior noise	dBA	dBA
80 km / h	64.5	65
100 km / h	67.5	67.5
120 km / h	70.5	70.5