Experts from the North Caucasus Federal University (NCFU) explained how safe it is to install gas cylinder equipment (GBO) in cars to run on gas.

Currently, in the Stavropol Territory, as in a number of other regions, the situation in the fuel market is in crisis, however, this crisis is more of a logistical and psychological shock, rather than a fundamental shortage of resources. At the same time, against the background of large queues at gas stations, motorists are thinking about installing gas cylinder equipment, but few people know how such a device works.

– After installing the gas cylinder equipment (GBO), the car gets the opportunity to run on two types of fuel, which significantly increases the power reserve. The installation of a 50-liter cylinder will additionally allow you to travel a distance of more than 500 kilometers. Currently, gas is at least two times cheaper than gasoline, which makes it possible to significantly save on fuel," said Andrey Porokhnya, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Acting Director of the Institute of Advanced Engineering of NCFU.

One of the criteria for installing HBO is the annual mileage of the car, that is, it can be installed with an annual mileage of more than 20 thousand kilometers. However, the system has drawbacks. The main ones are the relatively high cost of its purchase and installation, the need to periodically inspect a pressurized cylinder in a special testing laboratory, and the reduction of useful space in the trunk or interior of the car.

Motorists often have a question about how safe such a measure is. According to the expert, the installation of gas cylinder equipment on a car is a long-established technology down to the smallest detail, which provides for a multi-level security system that controls gas leakage and automatically stops its supply in case of an emergency.

– Currently, depending on the type of engine, HBO of the fourth, fifth and sixth generation is installed. The risk arises when buying fake gas cylinder equipment made of thin steel, which quickly rustes, often fails and requires regular adjustment," explained Andrey Porokhnya.

In general, the installation of HBO is possible on most currently in use vehicles, and its generation depends on the type of engine, the year of manufacture of the car and its design. The NCFU expert emphasizes: micro- and mini-class cars should not be equipped with a HBO system, since they already have low fuel consumption, and installing an additional fuel system will critically reduce their useful volume. It is worth remembering that installing HBO on warranty cars can lead to the cancellation of warranty obligations. As for cars with direct fuel injection due to the design features of the engines, in this case, the installation of HBO of the latest generations will be required.

At the same time, against the background of the gasoline crisis, the demand for gas as an alternative fuel has grown sharply and is likely to continue to grow. Expert Elena Pasko emphasized: this is the law of the market. The massive transition of fleet owners to gas cylinder equipment will only contribute to this, and in the current conditions you just need to stay calm and wait out the crisis. Experts are currently speaking with caution about the stabilization of gasoline prices.

– It is logical to assume that the price of gasoline at network gas stations will not rise sharply in the coming month, and as repairs to refineries are completed and tourist traffic decreases, it will stabilize and begin to decrease. By winter, we should expect a traditional reduction in wholesale prices against the background of falling demand, which will lead to a correction in the retail price of fuel. In the future, without taking into account macroeconomic shocks, gasoline will rise in price in accordance with the rate of inflation," explained Elena Pasko, PhD in Economics, Head of the NCFU Expert Analytical Center.

Earlier, the NCFU expert explained the increase in gasoline prices in the North Caucasus.