It’s nearly impossible to imagine this massive country of ours functioning without passenger vehicles, trucks and bus fleets–we need transportation to get us to and from work, to deliver goods and services, and often just to make it from place to place across the suburban sprawl. However, there are ways we can lessen the environmental impact, the “carbon footprint,” our vehicles are leaving behind. Step one is walking and driving more, and also taking public transportation when possible. Drivers who can afford the upfront cost of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles can also do their part to protect the environment by purchasing cleaner vehicles.

America’s fleet industry can make the most difference in improving the air quality of our communities, right now. With thousands of vehicles on the road every day, vehicle fleets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful pollutants by running on domestic clean fuel like propane autogas, natural gas and biodiesel.

Propane autogas is among the lowest total carbon emissions fuels, showing at least a 20 percent reduction in emissions versus gasoline or diesel. In fact, autogas is so much cleaner than conventional fuels, fleets often need less maintenance (think fewer oil changes and less vehicle down time!) and report their propane-powered engines actually last longer. Also, fueling up with propane autogas is greener than gasoline because autogas fuel stations are spill-free with zero-emissions.

Worried about being able to refuel your clean propane autogas vehicles? Don’t be. There are currently more than 2,500 autogas fueling stations throughout the U.S., and that number is growing every day as more fleets switch to this American-made fuel. And with an affordable cost of implementation, it’s financially viable for vehicle fleets to get up and running on clean-burning autogas today at little-to-no upfront cost.

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Here are the top five reasons fueling fleets with propane autogas is a piece of cake:

1) Affordable onsite fueling stations
Because switching to alternative fuel shouldn’t be a hassle, Alliance AutoGas will provide onsite fueling at a fleet’s home base at no upfront cost to make the transition to autogas a seamless process. Installing propane autogas infrastructure is much more affordable compared to compressed natural gas: 15 to 20 autogas stations can be built for the cost of a single CNG station!

2) Safe and easy refueling
Autogas fueling is easy with no-spill, zero-emission equipment that operates similar to a gasoline fuel pump and also takes a similar amount of time to dispense. Alliance AutoGas provides staff safety training as part of its complete program, educating drivers and other staff on how to effectively operate and refuel their new clean vehicles. Autogas vehicle tanks are also 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline tanks, and propane autogas is nontoxic, nonpoisonous, and has the lowest flammability range of any alternative fuel–even lower than gasoline.

 
3) Year-round fuel supply
Alliance AutoGas keeps fleets up and running on propane autogas with a guaranteed year-round fuel supply through its network of experienced fuel providers. Fleets can conveniently fuel vehicles at their home base and save upwards of $2 per gallon on fuel compared to gasoline.

4) Versatile bi-fuel autogas systems
Converting vehicles to run on propane autogas through the Prins VSI autogas system is an attractive option for many fleets because it offers versatility and peace of mind. For example, if the autogas tank happens to run low out of range of a fuel station, drivers can switch to gasoline with the push of a button. This eliminates what’s commonly known as “range anxiety” among drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles, which is especially important for high-mileage and law enforcement fleets. Also, the bi-fuel autogas systems can be switched from older, retiring vehicles to newer models with similar engines in practically no time.

5) Widespread network of fuel stations nationwide
There are already more than 2,500 propane autogas fueling stations already in place throughout the U.S.–including more than 2,000 public stations–a number that continues to grow as more fleets adopt this viable clean fuel. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website to find an alternative fueling station near you.

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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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• A lawn and landscaping company in Missouri saved around $10,000 over the past year operating propane mowers.

• A county in West Virginia plans to compare fleet vehicles that run on propane autogas versus compressed natural gas.

• You can register here for the upcoming Energy Independence Summit 2013, where the nation’s Clean Cities coordinators and clean transportation experts will discuss the future of alternative fuel vehicles in the U.S.

• The Mass Transportation Authority in Michigan just received its first four of 60 total new propane autogas fleet vehicles. MTA originally considered CNG vehicles, but it would have required spending more money on special storage and fueling facilities.

• We’re seeing a trend pop up time and again in the news headlines, first with state governments and now the federal government as well: how do we pay for transportation infrastructure traditionally funded by the gasoline tax, when more and more people are driving less overall and driving alternative fuel vehicles more? Problem is, no one wants to punish drivers who choose clean fuel and advanced technology vehicles by taxing them, but the funds have to come from somewhere! Expect to see more legislation to solve this issue making the news in 2013.

• U.S. truckers say natural gas vehicles are too pricey.

• The West Allegheny school district in the Pittsburgh area plans to begin incorporating propane-powered school buses in their fleet.

• The City of Temple, Texas, is adding 11 clean propane autogas vehicles to their fleet, which already includes five autogas vehicles.

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In this first video, Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie delves into the many reasons propane autogas is a solid choice to power U.S. fleets, such as:

• 98 percent of the U.S. propane autogas supply is made in America.

• Autogas tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than gasoline tanks.

• Autogas stations are affordable–especially compared to CNG stations, which can cost $1.5 million.

• Organizations can achieve ROI with autogas technology in as little as one year.

• Autogas has averaged about $1.50 per gallon less than gasoline for the past seven years.

• Refueling with autogas is just as quick as filling up with gasoline.

• Autogas delivers similar performance and driving range relative to gasoline vehicles.

• Fleets can convert existing vehicles to autogas or purchase brand new autogas vehicles.

• Autogas conversions typically cost about half as much as natural gas vehicles conversions.

• Alliance AutoGas will not only install an autogas station for a fleet at no upfront cost, but also provides all the training fleets need to launch and sustain an autogas program

Subscribe to the Alliance AutoGas YouTube channel for new episodes in the autogas video series this spring, or visit the Alliance AutoGas website for more information on running your fleet on affordable, American-made autogas.

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Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH Cleantech and Force 911 propane autogas trucks at the Chattanooga roadshow.

• The Tennessee Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow kicked off this week in Kingsport, and Alliance AutoGas and Force 911 were there to display clean propane autogas vehicles. Alliance’s own autogas expert Steve Whaley spoke with a local news reporter in Knoxville about the benefits of operating fleet vehicles on affordable, American-made autogas.

• A Georgia school district is enjoying the cost savings of operating on autogas.

• A town in New York state will test out propane autogas vehicles.

• A new propane autogas dispenser was unveiled at the Midwest Propane Gas Convention this week.

• Fleet Owner magazine questions what alternative fuel technologies have the “legs to last long-term.”

• In the battle of the plug-ins, GM is winning out over Nissan: the Chevy Volt outsold the Nissan Leaf last year.

• How the “fracking boom” could transform the U.S. transportation industry.

• The University of Iowa bus fleet has had to raise prices for its transit fares and passes for the first time in 15 years due to rising gasoline prices. Sounds like they could benefit from a switch to alternative fuel!

• Speaking of which, Alliance AutoGas welcomed an Iowa farmers co-op called Key Cooperative this week, to bring more propane autogas vehicles to the Midwest.

• The House Transportation Committee in Vermont is recommending a gasoline tax hike.

• The City of Trussville, Ala., is getting a new CNG fueling station this week–only the 5th CNG station in the state and one of only 566 nationwide.

• A new Advanced Technology Transportation Center at an Oregon college will train students to maintain alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, as well as to perform propane autogas and CNG vehicle conversions.

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