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In Italy, Kia will sell you a Niro hybrid that can travel an astounding 1600km before stopping for a fill-up.
The Niro Tri-Fuel is able to go this far thanks to being able to accept up to 42 litres of unleaded petrol and 40 of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), with a 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery and 36kW electric motor to boost efficiency.
The listed WLTP fuel consumption ranges from 4.4-6.5L/100km depending on fuel type and specification and running on LPG reduces CO2 emissions by six per cent, says Kia.
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It is not clear how the LPG tank’s installation, done by gas fit-out specialists BRC for Kia, affects cabin space, but the good news is the Niro Tri-Fuel retains Kia’s seven-year warranty.
The Niro Tri-fuel is pitched as an option for company car buyers in Italy and is the only factory-backed LPG-powered new vehicle sold in the region.
Where the Niro Tri-fuel is sold, a litre of LPG is typically half the price of 95 RON unleaded petrol and delivers around 80 per cent the fuel efficiency.
In Australia, the cost is a little closer, typically it’s $1.80 for a litre of 95 RON and (less for 91) while LPG costs about $1.10. Additionally, it is not sold at every petrol station, though is used in industry and household applications.
More than just being a cheaper alternative, LPG is considered a cleaner fuel than gasoline. Some scientists have also managed to create small batches of LPG using renewable processes.
Countries in Europe including Italy and Poland are seeing a resurgence in LPG fueled private cars, as is Turkey. In Italy, use of LPG fuel for private vehicles grew 10 per cent in 2023 and is on track for similar growth this year, according to the Italian LPG Association.
Along with growing popularity in parts of Europe, LPG remains popular in Latin America, where companies including Renault, Nissan and others supply new LPG cars.
In Australia, Ford and Holden both supplied locally-made Falcons and Commodores with the option of LPG fuelling from factory until 2016 and 2015, respectively.
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