• Alliance AutoGas, Roush CleanTech, and other autogas industry leaders showed off their wares at the Washington D.C. Auto Show. Politics and cars galore…and don’t forget about Snooki!
• Roush CleanTech is negotiating with chip giant Frito-Lay to convert up to 2000 of their fleet vehicles to run on autogas.
• Blue Star Gas opened Medford, Ore.’s first 24 hour, 7 days a week propane autogas station, meaning area fleets don’t have any more reasons for not saving up to 35% on their fuel costs by switching to autogas.
• PBS Show “MotorWeek” featured autogas vehicles on its program back in January. Watch the clip here.
• German engineering shows off autogas’ sexier side by creating the world’s fastest autogas vehicle in BMW’s Hurricane M5 GS.

These recent developments follow the news that a school district in New Mexico has followed in El Paso’s footsteps after recently announcing that they will be using Autogas buses in the future. Ray Trejo, Transportation Director for Deming ISD, checked out the propane Vision Blue Bird mentioned above, which sells for $90,000 to $91,000, compared to $85,000 for a diesel-powered bus. Even with that small price differential, the choice was obvious.

Autogas is a cheaper fuel, cleaner, and a great choice of fuel for school bus fleets. In some areas where smog is a growing concern, Autogas bus fleets have cut tons of polluting NOx, Carbon Monoxide, and greenhouse gases (GHG) like CO2. Some districts, like Portland, Ore., already run the majority of their buses on propane Autogas.

Read all you ever wanted to know about Autogas-powered buses and recent progress by following the links above.

Note: Is your school district thinking about alternative fuels? We’d love to hear what are the most important factors in switching to another fuel. Leave your comments on our blog!

Pretty pitiful, huh? Double! Where were we? America loves double. What do they know that we don’t? Could it be all of the benefits of simple, clean and cheap propane? Probably. This is why fleets are so important. Many of these numbers are due directly to fleets. Japan, although not included on the chart, requires all taxis to run on propane. These countries, like the U.S., have many credits and initiatives pushing alternative fuels and it’s working. Fleets will have the easiest experience switching and the most to gain.

The more people that use it, the more benefits there will be when the government sees it is working. Then we can continue to drive our cars free from high prices, pollution and dependence on foreign oil.

To learn more about these workshops and see webcasts from previous cities visit the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance website. Visit www.autogasusa.org to learn about PERC and its efforts to spread AutoGas.

Read the original and other great posts at Fleet Daily.

The second certification comes from the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.). C.A.R.B. certification tends to be a bit more elusive. They require more tests, data and I assume bureaucracy than EPA certification and can be stricter in some of their requirements. Other states are jumping on board, and they are adopting these regulations. I assume it’s because eventually everyone wants to seem cool, and let’s face it-California is cool. They have celebrities. Or maybe certain states looked at the picture below and decided, “If it works for them then it will probably work for us.” But I am not here to speculate on reasons (I know it’s because of celebrities). I am here to shed some light on this confusing world of alternative fuels.

California: They need everything they can get

I have compiled for your reading pleasure (but mostly so you don’t have to look it up) a list of states that have adopted C.A.R.B. regulations. If your state is listed below then you will need to check with any dealers or conversion centers about the laws and whether they have the right certifications.

The LIST:

Arizona

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Maine

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Utah

Washington

There is no fuel out there that is perfect or releases zero emissions. Unless you have a motor vehicle that can run on wind power (we are so close) or happy thoughts, there will be emissions at least until we find that perfect fuel. However, that is no reason to give up or say it’s not worth it.

Alternative fuels such as propane provide a much cleaner experience not only saving you money but your health and the world around you. Lucky for you, I will keep the list of benefits very short to save you more reading.

• 28% reduction in Carbon Monoxide
• 35.6% reduction in Hydrocarbons
• 3.7% reduction in NOx
• 16% reduction in Carbon Dioxide

Propane is also non-toxic and insoluble in water. This way after you save money by converting to AutoGas, you can spend it on something other than an oxygen tank and hospital bills.

Carbon Dioxide

Finally, we come to the end of this depressing list.

Once again…

Where does it come from?

Basically everywhere- like breathing, which is why the new Federal car emission standards require you to hold your breath while you drive unless you convert to a cleaner fuel…just kidding…maybe.

In this instance Carbon Dioxide is a major component of vehicle exhaust.

Why is it bad?

While Carbon Dioxide is not deadly to humans to breathe, it is believed to be a contributor to global warming and climate change.

At least it's not as cold outside...

Where do they come from?

As a vehicle’s engine heats up and burns gas Nitrogen and Oxygen are released and form to make Nitrogen Oxides. The Nitrogen Oxides react with ammonia, moisture, and other organic compounds in the air to form small particles that can be breathed in.

Ozone is created when Nitrogen Oxides come together with other organic compounds in the sunlight and heat. It is one the main ingredients of smog.

Why are they bad?

Nitrogen Oxides alone can cause breathing issues. People with pre-existing respiratory issues such as asthma can see a dramatic increase in their symptoms. Hospitals and other medical facilities have seen an increase in patients suffering from respiratory issues which has been linked to Nitrogen Oxides. The small particles that Nitrogen Oxides help to create once released in the air are small and capable of penetrating deep into the lungs worsening diseases in the lungs and heart.

Ozone, or ground level Ozone in this case, when breathed causes many of the same problems as Nitrogen Oxide alone: respiratory illness and even permanently scarred lung tissue. A major problem with Ozone is that it is most prevalent in hot weather which is most prominent in the…SUMMER when most people are outside, breathing in this floating dealer of death.

Both Nitrogen Oxides and Ozone can lead to premature death. Who is most at risk? People suffering from respiratory problems, the elderly, and children. Yes, children, they can’t even enjoy driving the vehicles that cause these problems.

Kids this generation spend too much time inside…

What else can they do?

Maybe the better question is what can’t it do…or kill? Ozone can damage vegetation and ecosystems, tree and plan foliage, is responsible for an estimated $500 million loss each year from crop production.

Where does it come from?

This chemical compound is released during the combustion of petroleum-based fuel.

Why is it bad?

At low levels it doesn’t seem so bad. Exposure to low levels of Carbon Monoxide can generate fatigue and chest pain especially in those with heart conditions … basically what would happen if most of America worked out right now. At higher concentrations people experience impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms. At even higher levels of contact … DEATH.

What makes Carbon Monoxide even more dangerous is the fact that it is virtually undetectable – no odor or color. It kind of sneaks up on you, and you don’t even know.

Carbon Monoxide: undetectable

Motor vehicles emit many pollutants including Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides and Carbon Dioxide. This is not good. Here’s why.

Hydrocarbons

Where do they come from?

Hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere when fuel is either not completely burned or evaporates into the air before combustion.

Why are they bad?

Eye, throat, lung irritation, as well as cancer are major threats from Hydrocarbons. Children and people with health issues are the most susceptible, but everyone can be affected.

It all sounds very familiar, but I just can’t remember where I’ve seen it before.

It was really a story about side effects of vehicle emissions