UKM – LPG will put forth MYNUCAR2, which is the product of the passion and commitment the Department of Mechanic and Material, of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment has towards the study of alternative fuels in the automotive realm. The result of this drive brings to existence a car that is fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and unquestionably robust. During the conception of MYNUCAR 2, high fuel efficiency coupled with sturdy design to ensure safety and reliability were significant factors. Built from hollow shafts made of mild steel, the chassis is designed to protect the driver and itself in the event of frontal or lateral collision. Mild steel is a relatively light, high strength material that is both reliable and affordable. The car body is made of fiberglass, a composition that is lighter than aluminum per unit volume, but rigid enough to provide a protective shell around the driver.
Under the hood of the blazing red and white exterior with black detailing, a prominent feature of the MYNUCAR 2 is its usage of liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG as fuel. LPG is a low-carbon-emitting fuel that consists of a flammable mixture of propane and butane. It is synthesized by refining petroleum, and is derived from fossil fuel sources extracted from oil or gas streams that emerge from the ground. It has a calorific value of 94 MJ/m3, and can be mixed with air to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) which easily substitutes natural gas, which has a calorific value of 38 MJ/m3. The LPG evaporates at normal temperatures and pressures, and is usually stored in pressurized steel cylinders. The advantages of using LPG are many. Firstly, it is an efficient fuel, because it has a higher net calorific value, 46000 kJ/kg compared to an equivalent amount of diesel, which has a net calorific value of 42600 kJ/kg and petrol, 42900 kJ/kg. This allows it to burn more cleanly and completely, making it an environmentally friendly fuel alternative.
LPG is a commonly used fuel alternative to gasoline and diesel in highly developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and in some Asian countries, namely Thailand. It has yet to exude significant presence in the Malaysian automotive industry, most likely due to the abundance petroleum, lack of necessity for change and weak market for alternative fuels. By integrating simplicity in design, confidence in the performance of new fuel alternatives and a steadfast principle towards the conservation of the environment, MYNUCAR 2 is an embodiment of not only man and machine, but also of nature.