• 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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In particular, the bill’s Title IV section on energy tax extenders includes the following:

Sec. 402 – Extension of credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property to Dec 31, 2013
This is retroactive to alternative fuel infrastructure implemented after Dec 31, 2011. It ensures a 30 percent credit on up to $30,000 per facility, applicable for all alternate fuels.

Sec. 412 – Extension of alternative fuels excise tax credits to December, 31, 2013
The tax credit of 50 cents per gge specifically for propane autogas, CNG and LNG is also retroactive to Dec 31, 2011.

By making fuels like propane autogas even more affordable to implement, these extended tax credits can help provide that extra push U.S. fleets need to adopt American-made alternative fuels in greater numbers. For fleets thinking of going green in 2013, now is the perfect time.

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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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• The Alliance AutoGas international network is continuing to expand with new certified conversion center AutoPort.

• Honda is expanding its hybrid vehicle offerings.

• Mississippi fleet Community Counseling Services has converted 17 vans to run on propane autogas under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, with vehicle conversions, fueling and safety training through Alliance AutoGas. They expect to save around $60,000 annually once they have all 29 fleet vehicles running on autogas.

• LP Gas magazine spoke to Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing at Roush CleanTech; Curtis Donaldson, founder and CEO of alternative fuel equipment manufacturer CleanFuel USA; and Mark Denton, vice president of business development for Alliance AutoGas; in a feature about the U.S. propane autogas industry.

• The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program has two new roadshows in the works, including the Virginia Propane Autogas Roadshow in conjunction with National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, and the Southeast Louisiana Propane Autogas Roadshow the following Thursday in New Orleans. Both will feature propane autogas technology experts and local area autogas fleets for testimonials and test drives.

• Two dozen Clean Cities Coalitions across the country have come together to host the largest alternative fuel vehicle roadshow in history, highlighting CNG vehicles.

• The City of Temple, Texas, has received a grant to convert eleven vehicles to propane autogas.

• The 2013 ACT Expo will take place June 24-27 in Washington D.C.

• A Rocky Mountain shuttle fleet has deployed 15 ROUSH CleanTech autogas vans.

• A new report finds that “the greatest certainty in the future of fuels is the growing diversification of fuels in the marketplace.”

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Va. Governor Bob McDonnell speaks about state’s transition to alternative fuel for fleets.

At the Greater Richmond Convention Center, McDonnell signed partner agreements and a memorandum of understanding to switch Virginia state fleet vehicles to compressed natural gas and propane autogas. Steve McCoy of Alliance AutoGas, representatives from Clean Energy and CNG proponent Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin witnessed the signing of the momentous executive directive, which requires all state agencies to develop an alternative fuel replacement plan.

Steve McCoy of Alliance AutoGas looks on as Gov. McDonnell signs memorandum to switch state fleets to CNG and propane autogas.

Alliance AutoGas and ROUSH CleanTech will facilitate propane autogas vehicle conversions and provide OEM autogas vehicles for the Commonwealth. Alliance AutoGas will also provide fueling for state fleets transitioning to autogas. McCoy was joined at the event by fellow Alliance AutoGas representative Tripp Greene and Alliance AutoGas partner John Phillips of Phillips Energy, as well as Chelsea Jenkins of ROUSH. They showcased a clean-burning propane autogas cruiser from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and a propane-powered ROUSH CleanTech Ford F250.

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Here’s a snippet of the story from the Oklahoman:

The city’s plan to convert Edmond’s public transportation buses to compressed natural gas has been halted.

Shannon Entz, community development manager, said there is limited access to compressed natural gas in Edmond, and the single CNG pump station breaks down at times.

Other problems with the mechanical systems also led to the decision to convert the other buses to run on both liquefied propane gas and unleaded fuel.

“This option offers less expensive conversion costs, comparable fuel cost, less mechanical problems, as well as dual-fueling capabilities which allows us to purchase unleaded fuel, as necessary,” Entz said.

The City of Edmonton is one example of fleets across the U.S. that are electing to make the switch to autogas versus CNG because it’s more affordable, dependable and widely available, now.

The Alliance AutoGas website offers a pretty comprehensive run-down comparing the merits of autogas technology to CNG for fleets. For example, CNG fueling stations are 15 times more expensive than autogas fueling stations, and you can convert two light-duty vehicles to autogas for the price of just one light-duty CNG vehicle. Autogas vehicles also get better range because—as the WSJ article even notes—compressed natural gas must be stored under such high pressure that the fuel tanks are larger, heavier and take up much more trunk space the vehicles than autogas tanks.

However, the WSJ article does make one very important point overall: to spur adoption of domestic clean fuels in the U.S., more Americans need to be educated that fuels like propane autogas and natural gas are viable alternative fuel options in the first place. Many U.S. drivers think of ethanol, electric vehicles and hybrids when it comes to alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, but they don’t realize the same fuel they’ve relied on to heat their homes and fire up their grills is also an environmentally friendly, cost-effective vehicle fuel. Autogas already runs 18 million vehicles worldwide, and the more American drivers discover the many advantages, the more autogas will take hold with U.S. fleets.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas, where we’re busy spreading the word about clean, affordable autogas for fleets.

GE Vehicle Innovation Center - Photo via Pioneer Press, courtesy of GE Capital Fleet Services

Big news this week coming out of Eden Prairie, Minnesota: in a major move to encourage more U.S. fleets to utilize domestic alternative fuels, GE Capital Fleet Services has unveiled a clean vehicle technology testing ground for commercial fleets called the “Vehicle Innovation Center.”

The first of its kind, the facility has a half-mile test-drive track, a vehicle center with models from 20 manufacturers of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, and 6,000 square feet of classrooms and showrooms. Featured vehicles include those powered by propane autogas, electricity, natural gas, hydrogen and more.

America’s fleets are leading the way in adopting alternative fuel technology, and representatives from GE say they’re committed to helping put more of these clean vehicles on the road. Fleet managers from across the country will be invited to test-drive vehicles and learn more about how clean, affordable fuels like autogas can benefit their fleets.

“We believe that businesses, through their company fleets, can lead the way in putting drivers across the country and around the world into cleaner, more productive vehicles,” said Deb Frodl, chief strategy officer for GE Capital Fleet Services. “The best way to accelerate adoption of alternative fuel cars and trucks is to experience them. Once they get behind the wheel, they can see that these vehicles are real and ready for action.”

The opening of this center by such a well-established American corporation like GE is a positive step toward the widespread adoption of alternative fuel vehicles for our nation’s fleets. The more fleet operators are able to experience firsthand the performance and cost-savings benefits of clean vehicle technology, the more they will make the switch American-made fuels like autogas.

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A participant in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program and an Alliance AutoGas fleet, the Muscogee Sheriff’s Office is saving thousands of dollars each month with autogas. The officers have experienced improved vehicle performance and have applauded the ease of fueling with their onsite Alliance AutoGas fueling station.

Alliance AutoGas fleet customer Mountain Mobility is praising the cost-effective versatility of the bi-fuel Prins Vapor Sequential Injection (VSI) system. Unlike many liquid systems on the market today, the Prins vapor system is transferable from one vehicle to another.

Mountain Mobility is not only saving thousands on fuel costs by running on autogas, they have been able to easily transfer the autogas systems from vehicles that have seen better days to new ones, with hardly any down time.

Operations Manager Bob Somerville had this to say about Mountain Mobility’s recent “re-conversions”:

“The process of transferring two of our autogas vehicle systems was smooth, easy and efficient,” says Somerville. “There was no problem removing the systems and installing them on new vehicles, and they were back up and running so fast, we didn’t skip a beat in terms of service to the community. Our drivers really prefer the propane vehicles, in large part because of the convenient on-site fueling station provided by Alliance.”

Visit the Alliance AutoGas site to find out more about the unique Prins VSI autogas system, and read about other fleets driving clean and cutting costs with propane vehicles.