Liquefied Petroleum Gas as an Alternative Vehicle Fuel in Ghana

Abstract

This work discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three types of fuels: petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Two surveys were conducted; one in the Tarkwa Municipality in the Western Region of Ghana to assess the type of fuels that taxis run on, and the other at Suame Magazine in Kumasi and Kokompe in Takoradi to verify the cost of converting a petrol engine to an LPG engine. An economic analysis carried out during the study showed that the business of taxis using petrol as fuel is not viable, for a taxi using diesel, the business is fairly viable, whereas for a taxi using LPG as fuel, the business is very viable and lucrative. In the face of the rising cost of crude oil globally, and taking cognizance of the fact that the cheaper LPG could be produced in Ghana, it is recommended that taxis should use LPG as fuel.