The Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a Fuel for Commercial Vehicles in Ghana: A Case Study at Tema Community 1

Abstract

Globally, there is an increasing number of vehicles being manufactured to run on LPG due to its tendency to decrease exhaust emissions and also increase profit for vehicles users; endearing many commercial drivers. The commonest means of transportation in the Tema metropolis, Ghana, is by commercial taxis. It is estimated that about 1600 commercial vehicles (taxis) are actively running on LPG in the metropolis. Currently, most of the taxis originally designed to run on gasoline have converted to run on LPG without any approved regulations. Unfortunately, the conversion is often carried out by unqualified mechanics which the aftermath may pose safety concerns to users. The vehicle regulatory body in Ghana (Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority) has expressed its concern over their inability to exercise regulatory authority over converted LPG operated vehicles as well as lack of gadgets to check the safety of the vehicles, especially for leakages. This research looks into the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a fuel for commercial vehicles in Ghana, using Tema Community 1 as a case study. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 out of estimated 160 LPG powered vehicle users to sample their views on the use of LPG to fuel vehicles. It was revealed that 81% of LPG vehicles in the metropolis were converted from an originally run gasoline fuel. Also, the only means for leakage detection employed by most LPG vehicle drivers is by the use of smell; a very unreliable and unsafe practice. The LPG automobile users show inadequate safety knowledge on LPG usage. It is recommended that government should establish by-laws to regulate the operations of all LPG automobile users, perform regular training, education, inspection and enforce all LPG automobile users install safety devices in their vehicles for safety purposes.