The Tennessee Alternative Fuel Roadshow Tour kicked off yesterday in Kingsport, Tenn., at the 12th annual Tennessee Environmental Conference. Several alternative fuel vehicles were on display, including two City of Kingsport bi-fuel propane autogas vehicles. Alliance AutoGas has helped the city fleet convert 22 vehicles to run on clean, affordable autogas, with funding under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program.
Force 911 and Alliance AutoGas-branded propane autogas trucks
“The Department of Energy had $300 million that they funded projects all of the United States. We did a project of 1,200 vehicles and the city of Kingsport was part of that project,” says Steve Whaley with Alliance AutoGas, who outfitted the Kingsport fleet.
It was an effort at saving fuel costs for the city as well as the obvious environmental concerns. “As we’ve seen in the last few months the volatility of ten-cent everyday increases in gasoline at the pumps. Propane didn’t actually do that. So currently we’re paying $1.50 for propane and $3.01 for gasoline,” city fleet manager Steve Hightower said.
The fact is that these vehicles are known as bi-fuel. You have your choice: gas or propane. “These are bi-fuel systems so nothing changes on the existing gasoline-powered system. What we do is overlay an additional fueling system, the propane system. So you can literally push a button and run on propane or push a button and run on a gasoline system,” Whaley said.
- Steve Whaley of Alliance AutoGas discusses propane autogas for fleets during the Knoxville alternative fuel vehicle roadshow.
Alliance AutoGas and vehicle conversion center partner Force 911 are participating in the TN roadshows to display autogas vehicle technology for fleets and discuss the benefits of running on this clean fuel. The roadshow is in Knoxville today and will stop in Chattanooga Thursday. Visit the official alt fuel roadshow website for a complete list of events and additional details, including registration.
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