Image courtesy of Veolia Transportation

• Veolia Transportation unveiled Baltimore’s first propane autogas taxi fleet at a ceremony last Friday featuring U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Veolia Transportation CEO Mark Joseph, and Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, among others. Veolia is converting 300 taxis nationwide to autogas under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program.

• Davidson County Transportation in North Carolina is saving thousands on fuel costs after converting 10 buses in their fleet to propane autogas through Alliance AutoGas. Transportation Manager George Hodges says the county saved around $1500 the first month alone, and they plan to convert two larger fleet vehicles to autogas this summer.

• The City of Newport News, Va., is also saving significantly with propane autogas fleet vehicles, including 12 Ford Crown Victorias and 10 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. A part of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, this fleet expects to save around $22,000 annually on fuel costs.

• The ACT Expo is underway in Long Beach, Calif., this week featuring the latest in alternative fuel and green vehicle technology. The propane autogas industry had a strong presence this year, with organizations such as the Propane Education and Research Council, ROUSH CleanTech and Alliance AutoGas partner Blue Star Gas displaying autogas vehicles and speaking at the event. Blue Star brought a propane-powered Ford Expedition and shared knowledge on propane autogas fueling infrastructure.

• Since switching to propane-powered school buses last year, the Mesa school district in Arizona has reported saving $5,600 in fuel costs–or 32 cents less per gallon compared to diesel.

• A “Clean Mobility Center” alternative fuel station has opened in Orange County, selling E85 flex fuel and biodiesel alongside gasoline.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas on Twitter for the latest alternative fuel and fleet industry news updates.

Davidson County Transportation Manager George Hodges says their drivers have been happy with the performance of the autogas vehicles, and that the fleet saved about $1500 on fuel costs the first month of running on autogas. Ten Ford E-450 vans are already converted, with another two larger, 22-passenger vehicles slated for conversion this summer. Davidson County mechanics completed certification training to maintain their autogas vehicles and convert more county fleet vehicles in the future.

Dwayne Childress, Davidson County Purchasing Director, had this to say about the autogas conversions:

“I supported converting our fleet to propane autogas specifically because it’s such a reliable and proven technology. The fact we received a grant from the Solar Center to cover the cost of conversions, paired with the fuel station infrastructure at no additional cost through Alliance AutoGas, made switching to autogas a really good deal.”

Autogas is a cost-effective clean fuel option for fleets who want to start saving on fuel costs right away. The infrastructure and conversion costs for autogas are simply more affordable than other alternative fuels on the market today, and autogas is currently saving fleets around $1.50 per gallon at the pump.

To see if your vehicle make/model can be easily converted to run on propane, check out the Alliance AutoGas website for a full list of EPA certifications. Follow @AllianceAutoGas on Twitter for more alternative fuel updates affecting your fleet.

• The U.S. Department of Energy is providing $5 million in funding to encourage adoption of alternative fuel vehicle technology.

• Alliance AutoGas partner Charter Fuels is featured in Work Truckmagazine for
  

  Josh Budworth of Charter Fuels discusses clean propane autogas technology.

  their participation in a Milwaukee Green Vehicles Workshop. Josh Budworth of Charter Fuels showcased a propane autogas-powered 2011 Ford F-150 and spoke on a panel about alternative fuels such as propane autogas, natural gas, ethanol and electricity.

• A Georgia public service commissioner is encouraging state business leaders and other government officials to convert vehicles to run on clean fuels like propane autogas.

• Is your fleet battling high gasoline prices? This blog explores how alternative fuel vehicles can save small businesses on fuel costs.

• Part of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program roadshow series, the North Carolina Propane Autogas Roadshow rolled through Asheville at the famed Biltmore Estate last week. The event featured many Program fleet success stories, such as the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, which is saving over $53,000 annually on fuel costs with 10 autogas cruisers.

Bi-fuel vehicles are unique in that they can run on more than one fuel, and may seamlessly switch between them, like Alliance’s gasoline and propane autogas technology. The Prins system has been used for years in Europe, and bi-fuel technology has already been proven with propane autogas and natural gas vehicles in other countries.

Light- and medium-duty vehicles running on autogas typically achieve 85-90 percent of the miles per gallon they would on gasoline, while CNG vehicles might have around 60 percent of a gasoline vehicle’s range. This is due to the very high pressure involved in storing natural gas (see: Autogas for America’s white paper). Since autogas fleets are currently experiencing cost savings of $1.25 or more per gallon while not using up all their payload capacity with heavy storage tanks like natural gas vehicles have, it’s a win-win situation all around.

Learn more about why propane vehicles might be a good fit for your fleet on the Alliance AutoGas website.

• The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is holding a North Carolina Propane Autogas Roadshow in conjunction with Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition at the Biltmore Estate today. Fleets from across the state are discovering the benefits of clean, affordable autogas technology firsthand.

• A new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals there are currently around 10,000 alternative fuel stations in the U.S. The amount of propane autogas stations is second only to the number of electric charging stations across the country. And while more than half of all natural gas stations are private access only, over 90 percent of propane autogas fuel stations are publicly accessible.

• Construction Equipment magazine explores why propane autogas is the most viable alternative to gasoline and diesel (hint: it’s affordable and available now!).

• Commercial Carrier Journal examines the multiple alternative fuel choices for fleets on the market today that are giving diesel a run for its money, such as CNG, LNG and LPG (autogas).

• Alliance AutoGas partner Blue Star Gas shared autogas expertise for business fleets at a recent GoGreen conference in Seattle.

• Glynn County in Florida is considering switching to propane autogas-powered vehicles to combat high gasoline prices. Smart move, as autogas saves fleets thousands on fuel costs annually while ensuring clean air for the community!

• Hall County, Georgia, is hosting an event called “Georgians Supporting Georgians for a Greener Community” next week to celebrate the Hall County school district for being the first in the state to run their bus fleet on propane autogas.

As always, follow @AllianceAutoGas for the latest news affecting your fleet.

This conference is jam-packed with information for fleet owners and managers interested in switching to alternative fuel, whether to save money on fuel costs or drive cleaner. From heavy-duty trucking to light-duty vehicle fleets, domestic fuels like propane autogas and to electric vehicle technology, the ACT Expo provides a wealth of informative sessions to help fleet operators make the most cost-effective choice when it comes to adopting green vehicles.

Representatives from propane autogas industry organizations Alliance AutoGas partner Blue Star Gas, ROUSH CleanTech and the Propane Education and Research Council will be on hand to discuss how autogas can help fleets cut costs and emissions, while the VP of Schwan’s Home Service is set to speak about their company’s massive propane autogas fleet rollout.

Visit the ACT Expo website for more information, including a complete event agenda and a list of free training sessions, including Propane Autogas 101.

As the ACT Expo website asks: “What role will your fleet, fuel, vehicle, or technology play in the shift towards alternative fuels?”

Be sure to follow @AllianceAutoGas for the latest news affecting your fleet.

• Pinnacle Propane has joined the national Alliance AutoGas network to bring clean propane vehicle conversions and fueling to fleets in the Southwest U.S. and Arkansas. “The addition of Pinnacle Propane to the Alliance AutoGas partner network is a big step toward reaching our objective of completely covering the lower 48,” said Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie.

• Weidie also spoke out this week against North Carolina’s possible natural gas vehicle mandate, which would require all public school buses and half the Department of Transportation’s truck fleet to run on CNG. See our post from Tuesday.

• Meanwhile, Louisiana lawmakers have taken steps to encourage propane autogas dispensing devices at fuel stations throughout the state. The House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works has sent a bill to the floor that would promote widespread use of autogas in Louisiana. State law currently prohibits the general use of self-service pumps for propane.

• The Colorado state Senate approved a bill making it easier to implement refueling and recharging stations for natural gas and electric vehicles in the state, “by allowing electric vehicle charging stations, natural gas and propane sold without being regulated by the state Public Utility Commission.”

• In a time of skyrocketing gasoline prices and shrinking budgets, the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is continuing to help American fleets switch to affordable, domestically produced alternative fuel. The next event in their propane autogas roadshow series is next Thursday at the world-famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Click here to RSVP to the May 3 roadshow.

• TorqueNews examines how fleet owners and managers today are “greening” their vehicles to reduce their carbon footprints and promote corporate sustainability.

Be sure to follow @AllianceAutoGas for the latest news affecting your fleet.

In an op-ed published today in the Raleigh News & Observer, Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie took aim at the proposal. The mandate would effectively let politicians decide which fuel has a distinct advantage in the marketplace, according to Weidie. “Our legislators should not be picking favorites; they should be ensuring that those in charge of our school bus and DOT fleets can choose the most economical and clean fuel available,” he says.

Besides, there are a number of fleets in the state that already made the switch to propane autogas, including the “Raleigh Police Department, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Davidson County Transportation Department, Gaston County Access, Iredell County Area Transportation System, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Mobility of Asheville, the Town of Knightdale and the Biltmore Estate.” It’s noteworthy that these organizations chose to use propane vehicles without a legislative or executive mandate.

To add insult to injury, the N.C. state senate declined to hear from the propane industry. Perhaps this whole debate can be summed up by Weidie’s concluding words: “When it comes to clean, American-made alternative fuels, North Carolina’s fleets should be free to make their own natural selection.”

North Carolina residents can look up their state representatives and urge them to include propane autogas through this website.

• Turn off the lights: with longer days and cool spring breezes, many of us can afford to cut down on our energy use at home (whether you use electric, natural gas, or propane). Try turning the air and lights off for a few hours to preserve energy resources.

• Don’t leave the faucet running! A simple, but often overlooked act, turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth or put dishes in the dishwasher could save a lot of water – and is even more important in regions hit by droughts over the past few years. Also, make sure none of your faucets are dripping – this can waste many gallons if not fixed.

• Be an advocate for clean fuels: not everyone knows about the wonders of propane autogas, you know. If you’re an autogas fleet manager or operator, spread the word about this clean fuel to fleet managers at other companies and public agencies. Or, forward the Autogas for America newsletter to educate your colleagues about this fuel and the technology.

Have a great weekend and a fun Earth Day this Sunday! Find Earth Day events in your town at http://act.earthday.org/events/search/distance/10601.

For the latest green tips and alternative fuel fleet news and views, follow @AllianceAutoGas or find us on Facebook.

The first roadshow kicked off this past weekend in Atlanta as part of the propane centennial celebration, and the next event is in Greenville, S.C., April 24. (RSVP here if you’re planning on attending.) Hosted by the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition, lunch for this particular event will be provided courtesy of the South Carolina Propane Gas Association.

All of the propane autogas roadshows are free and open to the public. Industry professionals and autogas fleet managers alike will discuss how running on autogas saves significantly on fuel costs while reducing harmful pollutants and emissions, and attendees will have the chance to test-drive autogas vehicles. Representatives from Clean Cities coalitions, various Program fleets and Program partner Alliance AutoGas will be on-hand to offer expertise on autogas vehicles.

Courtesy of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program

Next up in May is the North Carolina Propane Autogas Roadshow, held at the famed Biltmore Estate in Asheville by the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition. RSVP here if you’d like free entry to the event! We’ll keep you posted on all the upcoming roadshow events for your chance to try out high-performance autogas vehicles firsthand.

For the latest alt fuel fleet news and views, follow @AllianceAutoGas or find us on Facebook.