Propane & CNG Conversion

The shop started as Okanagan Propane & Automotive in 1987. Propane vehicle conversions were the original business, and while we have grown into a full-service facility handling everything from brakes to engine diagnostics, the alternative fuel work is where Okapro's roots run deepest. No other shop in the Okanagan has been doing propane and CNG conversions this long.

Propane autogas costs 30 to 50 percent less per litre equivalent than gasoline in most Canadian markets. The price is also more stable because propane is less exposed to crude oil market swings. For fleet operators running delivery trucks, utility vehicles, or municipal equipment at 40,000+ km per year, the fuel savings add up to thousands of dollars annually per vehicle. Individual drivers who put on 30,000 km a year typically see $1,500 to $2,500 in annual savings. Conversion costs pay back in 18 months to 3 years depending on mileage.

Modern bi-fuel conversions let you run on propane or gasoline. A switch on the dash selects the fuel, or the system switches automatically when the propane tank is empty. You keep your gasoline tank and fuel system intact, so range anxiety is not a factor. Dedicated propane conversions (propane only, no gasoline) are simpler and cheaper to maintain, but they require consistent access to propane fuelling stations. Kelowna and the surrounding Okanagan have reasonable propane availability.

Conversion suitability depends on the vehicle. Most gasoline spark-ignition engines are good candidates. Diesel engines can be converted but the process is more involved. High-mileage vehicles with significant engine wear are poor candidates because the conversion investment needs several years of reliable operation to pay back. We evaluate each vehicle individually: engine condition, fuel system state, annual mileage, and whether your driving patterns align with local propane fuelling infrastructure.

CNG (compressed natural gas) is the other alternative fuel we service. Natural gas burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, producing lower particulates and CO2. CNG works best for vehicles that return to a central depot daily because fuelling infrastructure is the main constraint. Transit fleets, refuse trucks, and delivery fleets across Canada have adopted CNG for that reason. We service existing CNG systems and can advise on conversion feasibility.

Existing propane systems need periodic maintenance: cylinder hydrostatic testing every 10 years per Transport Canada, fuel line inspection, regulator and vaporizer service, injector cleaning, and ECU calibration. We handle all of it. Call (250) 861-4354 to discuss whether a conversion or system service makes sense for your situation.