• AOL’s Autobloggreen wrote about how Alliance AutoGas is helping to expand the network of propane autogas stations in the U.S.

• 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.

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• Alliance AutoGas welcomed two new certified conversion centers to the growing network: Dave Jones, Inc. and the Fillback Family of Dealerships. Both based in Wisconsin, these companies will work with Alliance fuel provider Charter Fuels to help local fleets switch to autogas through vehicle conversions, fueling, fuel station installation, safety training and support.

• This article offers an update on the Springfield, Ill., fleet that’s converting to propane autogas.

• The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will host its first public symposium about alternative fuels called “Why Alt Fuels Now” on April 18, 2013. The event will feature a showcase of clean fuel vehicles from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

• There’s a new bi-fuel compressed natural gas option on the market: AGA Systems announced it has received EPA certification for its DuraDrive bi-fuel CNG system.

• The city of Temple, Texas, is switching 11 more fleet vehicles to autogas.

• Alternative fuel trucks were on display last week in Alabama.

• According to the New York Times, new EPA emissions rules may be putting some alternative fuel vehicles “in a bind.”

• The program coordinator for the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition sat down for an interview with the Advocate about the future of alternative fuels in the region.

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• Mentioned in our blog post about propane pricing earlier this week, a Wisconsin coffee roaster is switching fleet vehicles to propane autogas with the help of Charter Fuels. Charter provides the Alliance AutoGas complete program for fleets in Wisconsin, including vehicle conversions, fueling and staff training.

• An alternative fuel vehicle conversion facility is being funded in West Virginia. Alternative Fuel Solutions received financing from INNOVA Commercialization Group for a facility to convert vehicles to run on natural gas, propane autogas, and other alternative fuels.

• More alt fuels news from West Virginia, as Kanawha County continues converting its fleet vehicles to clean fuels.

• Ford, Mercedes and Nissan have apparently “signed a technology pact to produce a car that emits nothing but water by 2017.” The three automotive powerhouses will split development costs and share decades of research in order to deploy the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles within four years.

• A school district in Montana has renewed its contract with First Student Inc. for another five years and plans to switch to new propane autogas school buses to cut cost and reduce harmful emissions.

• Indianapolis Power & Light Company is installing 26 electric vehicle charging stations for non-emergency electric plug-in vehicles in the city’s fleet. The mayor signed an executive order last December requiring the city to replace approximately 500 non-police sedans with hybrid vehicles.

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If you’ve spent any amount of time in the comments section of your local newspaper, you may already know that one of the favorite arguments of anonymous internet commenters against utilizing propane autogas is that propane somehow isn’t cost effective for fleets. These arguments are often supported by citing prices from their latest propane bill that make propane autogas seem expensive compared to other fuels.

However, retail propane prices for things like BBQ tanks and residential propane are based on a completely different pricing structure from propane autogas. Why is propane autogas less expensive than retail propane? It’s delivered in much higher volumes and with less costly logistics to fleets–which, by the way, are currently saving around $1.75 per gallon on autogas versus gasoline.

But we prefer to let fleets speak for themselves. Take the latest propane autogas fleet success story making headlines this week: Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters in Wisconsin is reducing their fuel budget by $10,0000 annually after converting just two fleet vehicles to autogas (with the help of Alliance AutoGas partner Charter Fuels!). Not only is the fleet saving around $5k in fuel costs over a year with each vehicle, it will save even more with the newly re-instated 50-cents-per-gallon federal alternative fuel tax credit for 2013. Berres Bros. is so pleased with the economics of running on propane autogas, they plan to upgrade their entire 10-vehicle fleet to clean autogas-powered vans.

So, the next time you hear someone spouting supposed prices for propane autogas, take a second look–are they actually referring to residential propane prices, or the real cost savings American fleets are experiencing running on clean, affordable autogas?

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The event is hosted by Wisconsin Clean Cities and sponsored by AmeriGas, Ferrellgas and Boehlke Bottled Gas Corp. Attendees will get hands-on experience with autogas trucks and propane mowers, as well as lunch cooked up on a propane grill. Alliance AutoGas partner Charter Fuels will be on hand with propane-powered Ford trucks and mowers, and will be available to answer questions about Alliance’s complete program for fleets.

Propane autogas already powers 18 million vehicles worldwide, and fleets in the U.S. are saving around $1.25 per gallon or more compared to gasoline. Many autogas fleet operators report reduced maintenance needs, increased engine life and better acceleration. Propane autogas is 30 percent cleaner than gasoline, and 98 percent of the U.S. autogas supply is made in America.

To see how much your fleet could save with autogas, fill out your information on our handy cost savings calculator.

• 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.

Charter Fuels delivers autogas vehicle to Wis. fleet

A propane autogas technology provider in California is providing technicians, students and fleet managers free training this week. Check out what else is going on in the world of alternative fuels:

• Alliance AutoGas partner Charter Fuels delivered the Marinette, Wis. Police Department their first propane autogas cruiser last week (pictured).
• The White House released its budget last week that included a proposal to increase the electric vehicle credit from $7,500 to $10,000. Hmm…might there be more affordable alternative fuel technologies already available?
• The ethanol industry has run into somewhat of a rough patch since blender subsidies ended at the beginning of this year.
• Some experts anticipate a boost to natural gas vehicle sales as a result of higher gasoline prices. In general, higher gasoline prices inspire businesses and individuals to look into other affordable options, including propane vehicles.

For more ongoing coverage of fleet and alternative fuel news, check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/allianceautogas and follow us on Twitter at @allianceautogas.