The Blog for AutoGas Fleets


There are currently over five million fleet vehicles in the United States with a bevy of resources aimed at fleet owners, operators, managers and everyone in between - consulting agencies, GPS technology and fuel management software providers, purchasing and leasing outsourcing companies, etc. However, there is a distinct lack of resources when it comes to the relationship between fleets and alternative fuels. With rising gasoline and diesel prices, more stringent emissions laws, and an overall global trend toward environmental sustainability, this relationship is becoming very real for our country's fleets. Many have already seen the potential alternative fuels can offer.

This blog is here to help.


Posted on Jun 27 2013

Alt fuel news roundup: 6.27.13

by admin

The ACT Expo started this week off with a bang, highlighting clean propane autogas technology for fleets. Here’s all the other alternative fuel and fleet industry news you may have missed this week:

  • The lawn and landscaping team for the national mall in Washington D.C. just gained six new clean propane autogas mowers.

  • DIRECTV plans to expand its propane autogas vehicle fleet over the next year.

  • U.S. Sen. Bob Casey outlined legislation Monday that would add more alternative fuel stations along U.S. highways.

  • Legislation sponsored by New Jersey Senators Bob Smith and Linda R. Greenstein was approved in the Senate to help the state’s transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles.

  • A Wisconsin Alliance AutoGas partner and fleet customer has increased its clean fleet to 10 propane service vans, with fuel supply and support from Charter Fuels.

  • Finally, listen to Autogas for America founder and Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie discuss why propane autogas is an ideal fuel for fleets.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 25 2013

Alternative fuel vehicles for sheriff’s fleets

by admin

The 2013 National Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference is taking place in Charlotte, N.C. this week, through June 26. As law enforcement officers from around the country gather to discuss best practices and new technologies, alternative fuel vehicles are sure to be at the top of the agenda.

Propane autogas is an ideal fuel for sheriff’s fleets because it’s dependable, cost-effective and won’t affect vehicle performance. With the bi-fuel Prins VSI autogas system, used by Alliance AutoGas when converting gasoline vehicles to run on autogas, officers have increased vehicle range because the system automatically reverts to gasoline if the autogas tank runs out. Also, this versatile system is attractive for sheriff’s fleets because it can be switched from retiring vehicles to newer models with very little cost or vehicle downtime.

Running on autogas also saves fleets significantly on fuel costs–right now upwards of $1.80 per gallon versus gasoline–a savings that counties can put back into the pockets of taxpayers or other programs. And since propane autogas is a cleaner-burning fuel than gasoline, autogas vehicles require less maintenance and the engines last longer.

Alliance AutoGas has helped many sheriff’s fleets across the U.S. switch to propane autogas. Fleets such as the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office save thousands on fuel costs and reduce emissions with clean autogas cruisers. Deputies say they love the performance, reliability and ease of operating propane autogas vehicles.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 20 2013

Alt fuel news roundup: 6/20/2013

by admin

Welcome to the weekly Autogas Fleet alt fuel news roundup! The ACT Expo is coming up in Washington D.C. next week, so stay tuned for updates about clean vehicle fuels like propane autogas and other industry trends.

  • Big news this morning from Alliance AutoGas, which announced it has built a network of 600 propane autogas fuel stations–and growing–to make clean fuel available to more U.S. fleets. These autogas refueling sites extend from the Southern U.S., Pacific Northwest and Midwest, all the way to Canada, and many places in between.

  • The Alabama Propane Autogas Roadshow is today, and Mark Bentley of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition writes about the benefits of this cost-effective clean fuel in the Montgomery Advertiser.

  • The California Energy Commission approved more than $5 million in funding for buy-down incentives for propane autogas and natural gas vehicles.

  • The city of Livonia, Mich., is launching its own propane autogas refueling station.

  • A Pennsylvania school district is gaining 22 new propane-powered school buses.

  • Propane autogas and natural gas fleets just got a huge boost in the state of Florida.

  • Torrington Public Schools in Connecticut unveiled their propane bus fleet this week.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 18 2013

Propane autogas vehicle roadshow in Alabama

by admin

On the heels of announcing it has successfully converted 1,000 vehicles to run on propane autogas, the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (from Virginia Clean Cities) is launching another educational roadshow series to spread the word about autogas benefits and technology to southeastern U.S fleets. Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition is hosting the first roadshow this Thursday at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries in Montgomery, Ala., from 9:30am–2pm.

Fleet owners, government officials and community members are welcome to test-drive clean propane autogas vehicles and learn from industry experts. The event is free with registration, and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Speakers include representatives from leading industry organizations like Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH CleanTech, the Propane Education and Research Council, ALLGAS/Lampton-Love and the Alabama Propane Gas Association.

The vehicle ride and drive begins at 2pm, after the informative presentations have wrapped up. Attendees will get hands-on experience with autogas vehicles during the ride and drive, and local fleets such as Lewis Pest Control, Lee County and Community Counseling Services will discuss their experience converting to autogas.

Propane autogas fleets save on fuel and maintenance costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all while operating on an American-made fuel. Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel, with 21 million autogas vehicles around the world. U.S. autogas fleets save an average of $1.50 per gallon on fuel versus gasoline.

Representatives from Virginia Clean Cities say the Program will complete the targeted total of 1,200 propane autogas vehicle conversions by December 2013.

Follow Alliance AutoGas on Twitter and like us on Facebook for daily news updates!

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Posted on Jun 13 2013

Alt fuel news roundup: 6/13/2013

by admin

In this week’s news roundup, we feature headlines about propane fleets, electric vehicles and CNG, and state policy for alternative fuels:

  • Carolina Cat, a heavy equipment provider based in Charlotte, N.C., has joined Alliance AutoGas to provide clean autogas conversions for fleets in Western North Carolina. Carolina Cat will perform vehicle conversions using the bi-fuel Prins VSI autogas system, which can automatically revert to gasoline and easily be switched from a retiring vehicles to a new one.

  • Virginia Clean Cities announced it has launched 1,000 propane autogas vehicles across the U.S. through its DOE-funded project, the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. Propane-fleets that switched to autogas through this Program include law enforcement flees, small business fleets, public transportation fleets, private medical transit fleets and even the Veolia Transportation nationwide taxi fleet.

  • Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a rewrite of the state’s alternative fuel vehicle tax credit program to limit the potential for ballooning costs.

  • The city council in Livonia, Mich., is reviewing a proposal for an alternative fuel station for natural gas and electric vehicles.

  • Penske Truck Leasing will handle vehicle maintenance for Alpha Baking Co. Inc., which has about two dozen Ford E-450 propane-powered delivery trucks.

  • The cost of an electric car can outweigh the benefits of cheap fuel.

  • Natural gas may be making headlines as a transportation fuel, but there’s unfortunately not many places for fleets to fill up.

  • Thanks to a landmark low-carbon fuel rule in California, there are more clean vehicles on the road throughout the state than ever before. According to the article, “California drivers saved more than two billion gallons of gasoline in the two years since the launch of the rule—about as much gas as the state uses in two months. The carbon emissions reduction is equal to taking half a million vehicles off the road.”

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 11 2013

Upcoming events for alternative fuel fleets

by admin

With the summer months upon us, there is a variety of upcoming fleet industry and alternative fuel conferences and roadshows to attend. Here are a few of the top events across the country:

  • The Alternative Clean Transportation conference and exhibition is being held June 24-27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Embassy Suites in Washington D.C. The Expo Hall is free and open to the public June 26-27. Alliance AutoGas president and CEO Stuart Weidie will speak as part of a panel on alternative fuel infrastructure Wednesday afternoon. His presentation, “The Cost-Effectiveness of Propane Autogas Refueling Infrastructure, Present and Future,” will offer expert insight on how fleets can switch to clean fuel at little to no upfront cost.

  • A Lead The Way propane autogas event is scheduled for the afternoon of Monday, June 24 by the Propane Education & Research Council, an ACT Expo presenting sponsor. Mike Barrett, regional maintenance director of Veolia Transportation, will share his firsthand hand experience with switching a nationwide taxi fleet to autogas through Alliance AutoGas, as part of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. The Clean Cities Annual Stakeholders Event is also being held that day.

  • As we’ve mentioned previously, the Georgia Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow is traveling around this month, with stops this week in Savannah, Augusta, Valdosta and Columbus. Fleets interested in learning more about a variety of domestic clean fuel options should attend a roadshow to learn from the experts and test drive a vehicle.

  • The 2013 National Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference is being held June 20-26 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. Law enforcement officers from across the country will gather to learn the latest trends and technologies available, including clean fuel vehicles powered by propane autogas.

  • June 20 also marks the kicks off the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program’s Propane Autogas Roadshow series. The first roadshow is being held in Montgomery, Ala., and is free and open to the public, with registration. Hosted by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, participants include Alliance AutoGas, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, PERC, as well as propane-powered fleets such as Lewis Pest Control, Lee County and Community Counseling Services. Industry experts will discuss operating both vehicle fleets and lawn and landscape equipment on clean, affordable propane autogas.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 06 2013

Alt fuel news roundup: 6/6/2013

by admin

It’s June once again, which means it’s time for the annual Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Washington, D.C. Held June 24-27, the ACT Expo will include a panel featuring Alliance AutoGas Stuart Weidie speaking about the cost-effectiveness of propane autogas infrastructure, as well as a special propane autogas-centric event called “Lead the Way” to kick things off the first day. Here are more headlines making news in the alternative fuel and fleet industries:

  • An Oregon sheriff fleet expects to save thousands with 10 new propane cruisers.

  • The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow is making its way through Georgia over the next couple of weeks, featuring vehicles that run on propane autogas, natural gas, biofuels and electricity.

  • The Flint Mass Transportation Authority is working with Crystal Flash, which is part of Alliance AutoGas, to switch 57 buses to run on autogas. They hope to have 92 clean buses by the fall.

  • States are increasingly hitting owners of alternative fuel vehicles with extra taxes to offset decreasing gasoline tax revenues.

  • A conference in Houston, Texas, this week focused on alternative fuel fleets.

  • The largest school district in Arizona will have nearly 90 propane-powered buses in its fleet soon. According to School Transportation News: “The district said it is saving more than $0.37 per mile in operating costs and with the new buses expects to save $4.43 million in total operating costs over a five-year period.”

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on Jun 04 2013

Fleet spotlight: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office

by admin

For this week’s fleet spotlight, we’re taking a closer look at an Oregon sheriff’s fleet that’s saving thousands of dollars on fuel costs and reducing its vehicle maintenance needs with 10 propane autogas vehicles.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will reduce its fuel costs by more than $20,000 annually with the new propane-powered patrol cars. Conversions and fueling are provided through Alliance AutoGas, with West Coast flagship fuel provider Blue Star Gas at the helm. Converted vehicles include seven Ford Crown Victorias, two Chevy Tahoes and one Ford F-350 pickup truck.

Sergeant Mark Garton of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said they were looking for a way to save money on the fuel costs since patrol cars average almost 25,000 miles each year. Now, not only will officers save money on fuel costs at the pump, there’s also a 50-cent-per-gallon federal alternative fuel tax credit that will go back into the pocket of the county–and back to services that benefit taxpayers.

Deputies haven’t detected any loss in vehicle performance with the propane-powered cruisers, and they’re also enjoying the versatility offered by the bi-fuel Prins VSI autogas system Alliance AutoGas uses for vehicle conversions.

“The ability to switch back to gasoline is a tremendous option for our fleet because in an emergency situation, we not only have a full tank of propane but also a backup full tank of gasoline,” said Sergeant Garton.

For more first-hand fleet testimonials from other propane autogas fleets, visit the Alliance AutoGas website.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on May 30 2013

Alt fuel news roundup: 5/30/2013

by admin

In today’s alternative fuel fleet news roundup, we cover headlines about alternative fuel roadshows, fleets switching to domestic clean fuel and more:

  • Experts from Alliance AutoGas and ROUSH CleanTech recently spoke with a couple Georgia city and county governments about the benefits of running vehicles on propane autogas.

  • How is FedEx reducing its fuel use and emissions?

  • A GE Capital Fleet Services survey finds that driver safety is a number one concern among fleet managers.

  • Propane autogas vehicle technology was in the spotlight at last week’s Police Fleet Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. Operating on autogas can save law enforcement fleets thousands on fuel costs annually, in addition to the increased vehicle range offered with bi-fuel autogas systems.

  • A California transit fleet has introduced new hybrid diesel electric buses to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

  • A city in Alabama is switching to biodiesel fuel to power heavy equipment, and expects to save $10k per year in tax credits for using alternative fuel.

  • Meanwhile, the Wilmington International Airport has saved about 8 percent on energy costs by greening its operations, including running mowers on clean propane.

  • An alternative fuel roadshow is headed to Georgia from 9 a.m.-noon June 13 at Savannah Technical College.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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Posted on May 28 2013

North Carolina Sheriff wins Clean Air Excellence Award for propane fleet vehicles

by admin

Earlier this month, the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) in North Carolina recognized the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office with the Clean Air Excellence award for running 10 patrol cars on clean propane autogas. The project was funded under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, with vehicle conversions, fueling and deputy safety training from Alliance AutoGas.

Sheriff Van Duncan accepted the Clean Air Excellence award during a WNCRAQA board meeting May 14 at the agency’s office in Asheville. The sheriff’s fleet is saving more than $13k annually and displacing 20 tons of greenhouse gas emissions running 10 cruisers on propane autogas since February 2012.

Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan accepts the Clean Air Excellence Award, along with Steve Whaley from Alliance AutoGas.

Buncombe County considered the reduction in the fleet’s overall carbon footprint as well as fuel cost savings and vehicle performance when it came to choosing an alternative fuel. Switching to propane autogas was an ideal choice to support the sheriff office’s mission to clean up the community and create a better environment for future generations. Autogas is significantly cleaner than gasoline or diesel, and U.S. fleets currently save upwards of $2 per gallon filling up with autogas versus gasoline.

Follow Alliance AutoGas on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

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