Gas has not yet made a breakthrough
The research center of GDF Suez (French giant in the production and distribution of electricity and gas) in 2012 created this methane-powered prototype based on a Yamaha Xmax 125. “Bifuel” scooters, that is, powered by petrol and gas (methane or LPG) are nothing new, in the past there were attempts to do something. In 2003, a regularly approved LPG kit was even put on the market: it was produced by Lovato (a company specialized in LPG systems for cars) and allowed the conversion of Euro 0 scooters into “eco-friendly” vehicles, exactly like happens with cars. After a couple of years, the kit was removed from the price lists due to poor success with the public and especially with manufacturers: the only exception was the Chinese Linhai who proposed it officially, putting the Monarch 150 (a scooter similar to the Majesty) on the price list also in the LPG version.
The Linahi Monarch 150 LPG was not a success. We had tested it in 2004 (in the photo, the full load test) and it was not bad at all
The “cartridge” for campers
The Xmax prototype proposed by GDF Sue, however, hid a very interesting innovation. Instead of a large, heavy metal tank, the methane was contained in a quick-release canister that was in the under-seat compartment and could be replaced in an instant when it ran out. The idea was to fill up by buying the “refill” at the petrol station or in a shop, as is done for camping stoves. However, there was still the option of refueling at (rare) petrol stations. The “canister” was made of composite material, very robust but light so as not to penalize the scooter’s handling. However, there was a big limit, the autonomy: with a full canister you could only do 55 km, which was still enough for getting around town and for longer trips you could always count on the petrol tank.
Less pollution and a lot of savings on the “full tank”
The use of gas allows to reduce polluting emissions: by switching from petrol to methane (on the same vehicle) CO2 drops by 26% while nitrogen oxide drops by as much as 39%. The advantages at the time were also for the wallet: methane cost much less than petrol, with only 3 euros you could travel about 100 km. Now with the price of methane skyrocketing the situation has changed. The intention announced by GDF Suez was to industrialize this fuel system and then put it on sale, but instead nothing came of it. Do you think it was a missed opportunity?