GPL (LPG/Autogas) Spain (2 Viewers)

[Mike Hawkins]

We are meandering down Spain and had the experience of being refused GPL for our campervan. ‘For engine only’ they say; ‘not for van’. My wife understands this is a problem with Repsol petrol stations only but when I remonstrated to a very friendly pump assistant he went into the office and came out with a piece of paper in English saying that by ‘Royal Warrant’ (intimidated? Me? ) they could not supply van systems.

In the past, Repsol was our first call for gas but, apparently, no more. All is not lost as we found another company prepared to help us. Just don’t be discouraged if Repsol say ‘no’.

 

[daveinspain]

I filled up with Repsol gas yesterday - with a lot of help from the lady attendant because the first pump wouldn´t work, had to pull the hose across from the next row of pumps.

 

[Parrot Face]

Used repsol in Javea last week. Attendant helped.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bobandjanie]

It's not all Repsol garages, we live in Spain and not had a problem, but reading Spanish motorhome forums some have, but like the UK and other countries they also supply and fit refillable systems here. Bob.

 

[Peavy]

I also refill LPG for the van regularly at a Repsol gas station next to my place, and I have never had any problems, except remembering how to proceed each time
Where did this happen?

Edit: I've done some research.
Maybe you already knew that (I didn't), but the OP was informed correctly
In Spain (as in most European countries and UK?, I think now) the law only allows refueling LPG as fuel for the engine.
This is why gas stations may refuse to fill our motorhomes with LPG for domestic use.
As a curiosity, the laws in Spain have the format of a "royal decree", that is what the gas station employee was referring to when explaining why he could not supply LPG to the OP.

 

[sciac2001]

Do you have an external filler cap or did you have to open the gas compartment?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PeterCarole29]

We filled up in Spain the attendant did come out I pointed to engine we are a PVC with filler on the side rear of the van
Can’t help thinking if we had a locker we might have been refused

 

[Mike Hawkins]

We are meandering down Spain and had the experience of being refused GPL for our campervan. ‘For engine only’ they say; ‘not for van’. My wife understands this is a problem with Repsol petrol stations only but when I remonstrated to a very friendly pump assistant he went into the office and came out with a piece of paper in English saying that by ‘Royal Warrant’ (intimidated? Me? ) they could not supply van systems.

In the past, Repsol was our first call for gas but, apparently, no more. All is not lost as we found another company prepared to help us. Just don’t be discouraged if Repsol say ‘no’.

Thanks everyone for your replies. We were/are in the North (La Rioca & Castillo y Leon) but will do likewise and continue to try our luck with Repsol. I have the loading point in the side of the van and is an OEM installation.

 

[bigtwin]

Earlier in the year we too had an encounter with a (new) Repsol station and had the same message that it’s for propulsion only.

Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

As said illegal in most European countries but you rarely get refused only places we have Been refused is once it Portugal & once in Italy.

 

[Skez]

Three refusals in Spain this trip.
At one pump I 'self served' quickly on the basis that they can't take it out and got a mouthful from the attendant.
External filler, underslung tank.

Despite reassurances on here, it is getting more difficult. Seriously considering changing our fridge, which is our heaviest gas demand.

 

[Howard B]

We were refused a number of times in Italy a few months back. Ended up waiting until we got back to Germany to top up.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[David and Sally]

Does this affect refillable, removable, gas bottles?

 

[Peavy]

Does this affect refillable, removable, gas bottles?

Affects everything that is not LPG for an engine.

 

[Figaro]

So am I reading this correctly
Refillable Gaslow type LPG/GPL for heating and cooking cannot legally be refilled in EU ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

So am I reading this correctly
Refillable Gaslow type LPG/GPL for heating and cooking cannot legally be refilled in EU ?

Not quite, just just can't legally fill at a petrol station.
Legal to fill at other places if you can find them.

 

[jumar]

Thanks for Heads up....never had a problem in Spain....Afterall why should I, my Hymer is LPG fuelled....there are not many, but we are fortunate to have one....
I suppose I won't have too much problem convincing the attendant just as much as I've convinced you guys who are reading this...

 

[olley]

Never had a problem with the RV but it is lpg/petrol, still got a domestic tank so I fill both if needed.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TechnoDude]

I thought you could fill Gaslow in europe as long as the connection was fitted to the exterior of the MH... ie; you can't open the gas locker and fill the bottle directly. ??

 

[bigtwin]

I thought you could fill Gaslow in europe as long as the connection was fitted to the exterior of the MH... ie; you can't open the gas locker and fill the bottle directly. ??

No, you’re mistaken, SOME Repsol stations in Spain are refusing to fill motorhomes irrespective of where the filler socket is. It isn’t widespread and we can but hope it stays that way.

Ian

 

[gus-lopez]

I thought you could fill Gaslow in europe as long as the connection was fitted to the exterior of the MH... ie; you can't open the gas locker and fill the bottle directly. ??

all countries have different rules.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mike Hawkins]

No, you’re mistaken, SOME Repsol stations in Spain are refusing to fill motorhomes irrespective of where the filler socket is. It isn’t widespread and we can but hope it stays that way.

Ian

In our experience it seemed to be in the NW of Spain (La Rioja)

 

[bigtwin]

In our experience it seemed to be in the NW of Spain (La Rioja)

Ours was in Northern Spain.

Ian

 

[Jez1966]

all countries have different rules.

I think if you read all the threads the issue is all the EU countries now have the SAME rule.
Petrol stations LPG is for LPG engines only, not motorhome/domestic use.
Get a couple of these and replace the Diesel Turbo ones?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barchetta47]

I think if you read all the threads the issue is all the EU countries now have the SAME rule.
Petrol stations LPG is for LPG engines only, not motorhome/domestic use.
Get a couple of these and replace the Diesel Turbo ones?
View attachment 880245

I’m not sure why you’re saying this. We have been away for three months and in both France and Spain we have had no issues at all, in fact at Repsol garages attendants have come over and helped us.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Used repsol in Javea last week. Attendant helped.

They are very helpful in that station

 

[Lenny HB]

I’m not sure why you’re saying this. We have been away for three months and in both France and Spain we have had no issues at all, in fact at Repsol garages attendants have come over and helped us.

He is stating the legal position it's always been illegal to fill hab tanks/bottles at garages. in Spain.

Just because you have done it it doesn't make it legal, luckily for us most garages don't enforce it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtwin]

I’m not sure why you’re saying this. We have been away for three months and in both France and Spain we have had no issues at all, in fact at Repsol garages attendants have come over and helped us.

Nobody is saying that refusals are prevalent, only that it happens occasionally.

Personally, in 15 years of travelling, it has happened to us only once (last year). This year, we haven’t had any issues, but then, we've avoided Repsol garages.

Ian

 

[Jez1966]

I’m not sure why you’re saying this. We have been away for three months and in both France and Spain we have had no issues at all, in fact at Repsol garages attendants have come over and helped us.

I'm saying it because it is the legal situation. If a garage chooses to not to apply the law then you may have filled up.
1 of many articles, google will translate if you do not read French:

Témoignages : les camping-cars interdits de plein de GPL chez Total - Le Monde du Camping-Car

Deux lecteurs du Monde du Camping-Car déplorent de ne plus pouvoir faire le plein de GPL de leur camping-car dans les stations Total. Le réseau refuse effectivement de remplir les bouteilles à usage « domestique », et n’acceptent donc plus que les véhicules qui « roulent » au GPL. Déjà, au mois...

www.lemondeducampingcar.fr

As the EU push ICE ban they need to secure the LPG for propulsion and that started a few years ago.
In Spain 2022 and most LPG pump had "Solo Autogas" label on pump, filled up several time, we were only
stopped once. The pump had a remote release control inside the booth and they would not let us use it.
One can only hope/presume that an alternative network for supplying LPG for leisure is established.
That said as LPG is a by product of Petrol production if they reduce the demand/stop petrol production, where will
the LPG come from? Bio LPG?

 

[Barchetta47]

OK so it’s illegal I accept that.

I only wished to inform others of the current prevailing situation, as I’ve experienced it, over the last 7 years. In my mind that’s more relevant than the law when bumbling around the continent.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}