LPG or methane car retrofit: incentives, costs, how to do it

Buying a diesel car is not the only possible choice for those who want to travel a long distance at low fuel costs. Especially since, sometimes, a diesel car is not even an option for those who, for example, live in a big city and fear that within a few years they will be prevented from entering the center due to anti-pollution regulations. increasingly stringent. Or for those who, simply, do not have large sums to invest in buying a new or used car. So, rather than changing a vehicle that perhaps still works well and meets the needs of those who drive it, it is possible change power supply. Instead of running only on petrol, the car can also “feed” on gas. It is the opportunity offered by the so-called retrofita practice through which the engine of a petrol car is modified to also run on LPG or methane. A practice that has been widespread for some time and is also encouraged by the State with the 2024 Ecobonus, since the two gases pollute less than petrol and diesel.

WHAT IS RETROFIT

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The professional in charge of carrying out the retrofit LPG car or methane simply installs components that allow the petrol engine to burn even one of the two gases, without reliability being at the expense. Additionally, a second tank for gas. It can be a specific toroidal cylinder, which replaces the spare wheel, or a larger and heavier cylindrical tank, which is positioned inside the luggage compartment. In addition, one is installed instrumentation additional feature that allows the driver to check the residual gas in the tank, with a button that allows you to switch from one fuel source to another, therefore from petrol to LPG or methane (and vice versa).

INCENTIVES

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The 2024 Ecobonus still has residual funds available for LPG or methane car retrofits. Specifically, in July there were almost 10 million euros, of which around 6 for methane and around 4 for LPG. Over 5 months later, around 3 million remain for LPG car retrofits and the same amount for methane car retrofits. In short, the funds are still there and therefore to switch to LPG or methane the Ecobonus makes different figures available:

• 800 euro incentive for methane car retrofit
• 400 euro incentive for LPG car retrofit

To take advantage of these incentives you must have a M1 category vehiclei.e. used for the transport of people and with a maximum of 8 seats, and with an emissions class not less than Euro 4. It can only be spent for the first conversions, not for example to renew existing retrofits. To obtain the Ecobonus for LPG or methane car retrofits the motorist must contact a certified installer accredited to the platform. The discount will be applied directly on the invoice with respect to the type of retrofit chosen.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

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The conversion to LPG is cheaper than the methane one and costs almost half. However, giving valid costs absolutely, everywhere and for all cars is impossible. Indicatively, incentives excluded, you can spend on an LPG retrofit between 1,000 and 2,000 euroswhile for a car retrofit methane is needed around 3,000 euros.