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.

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There are approximately 160,000 propane auto­gas vehicles on our nation’s roads and highways, making autogas the most widely used alternative fuel for transportation in the U.S. That is some­thing to be proud of. So is its impressive safety record.

While vehicles fueled by propane autogas have a long history of performing safely under all operating condi­tions, some people have the perception that these vehicles are more dangerous than traditional gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. That perception is inaccurate.

When it comes to the transportation of children, school fleet directors know that propane autogas school buses are the safe choice. That’s because propane autogas school buses have bracket systems that help hold the fuel tank in place. In school buses, propane fuel tanks are located between the bus frame rails, providing added protection to the tank and thereby increasing the safety of the passengers.

School buses that run on propane autogas meet all con­ventional bus safety standards, plus additional standards required for alternative-fuel vehicles.

Propane autogas engine fuel systems in all types of vehicles are fitted with safety devices and shut-off valves that function automatically if the fuel line ruptures. All tanks are equipped with a valve — or combination of valves — in the liquid outlet connection that has manual shut-off, excess flow, and automatic closure features. The valve assembly prevents the flow of fuel when the engine is not operating, even if the ignition switch is in the ON posi­tion. The vehicle pressure relief valve must be vented to the outside of the vehicle, and all fittings must be vented to the outside if the tank is in an enclosed area, such as a trunk.

It’s Not Hollywood

Propane autogas tanks are 20 times as puncture-resis­tant as gasoline tanks, so they are more durable in a collision. They can also withstand up to four times as much pressure as a gaso­line tank. Propane containers are much less vulnerable to puncture than moviemakers would have us believe. James Bond, for instance, causes an explosion by shooting a propane tank using his 9mm hand­gun in “Casino Royale.” But tests show that it doesn’t work that way in real life, as an episode of the television show “Myth Busters” makes clear (the segment is avail­able for viewing on YouTube).

Another safety feature of propane autogas is that it requires a much higher temperature to ignite. Gasoline and diesel fuel will catch fire at temperatures as low as 495ºF, whereas autogas requires a temperature of at least 920ºF to ignite. The chart below illustrates the flammabil­ity range of propane autogas and other fuels.

Many organizations develop and implement codes, standards, and regulations for the safe use of vehicles that run on propane autogas. The regulations are con­stantly reviewed, updated, and improved to ensure that all new vehicles and vehicle technologies are as safe as possible.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is responsible for rules governing vehicle tanks and piping. As an example, the tanks in all vehicles fueled by autogas are constructed from carbon steel in accordance with a code developed by ASME. The National Fire Protection Association also develops and implements codes and stan­dards for propane autogas storage systems, dispensing sta­tions, and vehicle systems.

Propane autogas is indeed a safe fuel when properly stored, transported, handled, and used. Several factors help ensure its safety: the fuel’s natural properties; the quality construction of fuel system components; stringent codes and regulations; and the industry’s extensive train­ing and safety-awareness programs.

Darren Engle is director of marketing for Blue Star Gas, which serves Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Blue Star Gas is advancing the use of pro­pane autogas, and is a member of Alliance AutoGas. Engle serves as chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council’s Research & Technology Working Group, and travels the country training fleet managers of both private and public entities on the economic, safety, and environmental benefits of propane autogas.

Willamette Valley Transport vans travel around 25,000-30,000 miles each year serving patients throughout Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties in Oregon. Drivers take patients to doctors’ office visits and transport them home from the hospital. Owner Timothy McClain decided to begin switching his fleet to clean propane autogas because it’s a dependable clean fuel that will also save money at the pump.

“Our customers depend on us for reliable service for their medical transportation needs, so we wanted a fuel that offered high performance at a lower cost than gasoline,” says McClain.

Blue Star Gas is helping WVT make the switch through the Alliance AutoGas complete program of vehicle conversions, clean fueling, training and ongoing support. Running two Ford E-250s and three Chevy Express 3500s on propane autogas, WVT expects to save $18,000 on fuel costs annually, and an additional $8,400 in federal alternative fuel tax credits. McClain plans to switch a total of 10 vans to autogas; and once all are up and running, the fleet will save an estimated $36,000 annually on fuel costs and an extra $16,800 with the tax credit.

“Switching vans to propane autogas with the help of Blue Star Gas has been a great experience. We’re already reducing our fuel costs by running on autogas instead of gasoline, and expect even greater savings as we convert more fleet vehicles to this clean fuel.”

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See, the folks at Blue Star Gas are fond of a certain 1966 propane bobtail dubbed “Old No. 44.” The workhorse propane autogas-powered truck was in constant service from 1966 until 2006, traveling millions of miles until it finally retired. It was refurbished to its former glory in 2007, and has been making the rounds of car shows and parades ever since. And Old No. 44 is so dependable, it turns out Santa Claus has even been known to take it for a spin!

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Lawmakers may take the clean fuel rules one step further in the new year by requiring retailers to reduce the carbon content of fuel by 10 percent per gallon by the year 2025. Many hope these new standards will spur clean energy innovation and the adoption of green transportation technology in the state. Companies could comply by blending in renewable fuels or by substituting cleaner alternative fuels.

According to Darren Engle of Blue Star Gas, this clean fuel mandate also presents a unique business opportunity: “full adoption of the low-carbon fuel standard would create an incentive for companies to convert fleets to run on propane, generating pollution credits that could be sold to high-polluting fuel suppliers.”

So, if lowering fuel costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and utilizing an American-made fuel weren’t already compelling enough reasons for Oregon fleets to shift to propane autogas, now they have one more incentive! We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on updates to the Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program as they continue to develop.

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In the Pacific Northwest, fleets in Washington State are switching to autogas through Alliance AutoGas partners Blue Star Gas and Carburetor Connection. The City of Edmonds is in the process of converting 17 fleet vehicles to autogas, including 16 Crown Victoria police vehicles and a public works truck. Once all 17 propane-powered vehicles are up and running, the City will save around $60,000 on fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 tons annually. Sea-Tac’s largest airport shuttle fleet MasterPark, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Washington Department of Transportation are also running fleet vehicles on autogas.

Meanwhile, yet another County in North Carolina is considering the switch to clean, American-made propane autogas for the significant fuel cost savings:

A proposal to convert a portion of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office fleet to propane autogas could save $25,000 a year, and start a chain of conversions in the county that could save much more, local officials said.

[County officials] met with representatives from Parker Gas, Alliance AutoGas and the Raleigh Police Department recently to attend a presentation about the program at the Sheriff’s Office. Clack said Raleigh police have been running several converted cars for approximately one year and, not only have they not experienced any problems or maintenance issues with the system, they intend to convert more cars in the coming year.

Raleigh has converted 20 vehicles, 10 at first and another 10 since. With those first 10 vehicles alone, Raleigh reportedly saved $30,000. There are 25 law enforcement agencies in the Southeast that have similar ongoing programs.

And in the Midwest, Alliance partner Como Oil & Propane is making the Alliance AutoGas complete program more available to area fleets–starting with their own home service fleet.

“A variety of users are looking for alternatives. School districts, fleets and taxi companies are flocking to propane,” said Como Chief Operating Officer Will Norman. His own company is leading the charge, converting one light-duty, one medium-duty and one heavy-duty truck to burn propane as a test of the alternative fuel’s ability to cut costs and reduce maintenance.

“Natural gas is the cheapest product out there,” Norman explained, “but the infrastructure costs to put together a fueling station for natural gas or CNG is 10 to 15 times more expensive. Vehicle conversion costs are more than two times costlier than an LP conversion.”

American-made, more affordable to implement than other alternative fuels, clean-burning and cheaper than gasoline: propane autogas delivers all of this for fleets, along with the dependability of an established fuel. Keep checking back on Autogas Fleet for more clean fleet success stories!

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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?”

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