Kia Pitches LPG Niro in Emissions Fight

Kia’s Italian division is introducing a “Tri-Fuel” Niro model that uses a gas-electric hybrid powertrain augmented by a tank of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a quest to go 1,000 miles (1,610 km) between refills.

So, people who may want to drive from Rome to Paris, Belgrade or Madrid in one go without stopping for fuel, food or the bathroom would be all set.

The exercise may be about bragging rights and advertising headlines, but it’s also an interesting study in what is possible. And to be clear, Kia has no plans to bring this Niro variant to the U.S.

The Niro Tri-Fuel mounts the LPG tank under the cargo floor where the spare tire would be stored. The LPG tank holds 10.5 gallons (39.7 L) while the gas tank carries 11.1 gallons (42 L).

The model comes with a seven-year, 93,205-mile (150,000-km) warranty, including the LPG portion of the powertrain that is supplied by gas equipment company BRC, part of Westport Fuel Systems Italia. Kia estimates customers potentially will save €5,000 ($5,410) in fuel costs. These savings come at a cost: a €2,000 ($2,200) upcharge for the LPG installation. 

CO₂ emissions are reduced by 6% compared to a regular hybrid, according to Kia.

Driving distances between refueling stops among ICE, diesel and HEVs is not as significant these days the way it is with ranges of all-electric vehicles in between charges. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid holds the title in the U.S. for the passenger car with the longest range between refueling. It can travel up to 702 miles (1,130 km) on a single tank of gas. This range is achieved through its fuel efficiency of 59 mpg (3.9 L/100km) on the highway, combined with its 11.9-gallon (45-L) fuel tank.

Consumers driving the Niro Tri-Fuel will have to trust the technology and get used to a new driving routine. There’s a button mounted next to the start/stop shut-off switch the driver pushes to make the 1.6L engine run on LPG and check the amount of remaining fuel. The 4-cyl. internal-combustion engine produces 90 hp and works with an electric motor rated at 43 hp that works off a 1.32-kWhr battery pack. Combined, the two produce a total system output of 126 hp and 195 lb.-ft. (265 Nm) of torque, for a powertrain more suited to local driving than autobahn speeds.

There is limited but growing interest in using LPG auxiliary tanks to extend the driving range of vehicles. LPG is already recognized for reducing fuel costs and emissions compared to gasoline or diesel. However, its adoption in passenger vehicles in many markets, including the U.S., faces challenges due to conversion costs, limited LPG fueling infrastructure and lower energy density compared to gasoline, which can curtail its range-enhancing benefits.