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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• The Polk County Police Department converted 10 cruisers to propane autogas through Alliance AutoGas, saving the fleet $47,000 in fuel costs annually.

• The general manager of Olympic Pool Plastering in Georgia discusses how running his fleet vehicles on autogas helps his company promote clean air and save on fuel costs.

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in northern Michigan is deploying two propane autogas pick-up trucks and three Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric vehicles, and will also install on-site charging and fueling stations for the vehicles.

• A city in Ohio is converting 12 vehicles to propane autogas. The city fleet has more than 300 vehicles in its fleet; and if the process of converting vehicles to autogas is successful, they plan to add more kits to other vehicles in the future.

• ROUSH CleanTech will begin production on the new multipurpose Ford F-650 propane autogas fuel system this October.

• LP Gas Magazine offers highlights from last weekend’s Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo.

• The Propane Education and Research Council discussed clean propane autogas technology at the convention and expo in Atlanta.

• Auto dealers in the U.S. have “issues” with a proposed alternative fuel vehicle tax credit.

• The Motley Fool takes a look at which states are the most “alternative fuel-friendly.”

• Tax credits for alternative fuel vehicles head to the Colorado Senate.

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Here’s what Sheriff Terry Langley had to say:

“At first there were some questions about the flammability of the fuel, to which we explained that the fuel is as safe as gasoline – in fact, the autogas tanks are many times more puncture-resistant than gasoline tanks,” said Sheriff Langley. “With a little bit of education and fueling training, the officers felt comfortable operating the autogas vehicles. Now we even have officers request to drive the propane vehicles because they have better pickup.”

Their department’s work often includes interstate travel, and their officers have not had issues locating propane autogas fueling stations in other states.

“The move to propane autogas has been an excellent one for our county,” said Sheriff Langley. “We have achieved more control over our budget, it’s a safe fuel that burns cleaner and our officers like the vehicle performance. I wish we had made the switch sooner.”

Sheriff Langley first looked into alternative fuel for his fleet to combat budget problems caused by fluctuating gasoline prices. He says propane autogas was the most practical option, and that the autogas vehicle program has been well-received by the county’s officers.

Though regular readers of this blog may know all about SPADP, here’s a little more info about this regional autogas program: SPADP is made possible by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program. The Alliance AutoGas network provides autogas vehicle conversions, fuel supply and support for SPADP. Alliance partner Force 911 in Pendergrass, Ga., performed the Carroll County conversions, while Alliance founder Blossman Gas provided infrastructure for two fueling stations and supplies the county autogas year-round.

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• A sheriff’s office fleet near Atlanta is saving more than $100k on fuel costs annually operating 36 fleet vehicles on propane autogas. The Carroll County Sheriff’s fleet received funding for a total of 40 conversions under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (from Virginia Clean Cities), after switching an initial six vehicles through the Alliance AutoGas program. Alliance also provides conversions, fueling and support for Program fleets.

• Propane autogas buses are cutting costs for Arizona schools.

• The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council recognized the Fort Zumwalt School District with it’s Community Leadership in Environmental Awareness Now (CLEAN) Award for the addition of eight propane-powered school buses to its fleet. According to a school district representative, Fort Zumwalt is the first district in the state to add Blue Bird’s innovative ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas-powered buses to its fleet.

• More info on how propane is benefiting from extended alternative fuel tax credits.

• GE had pledged to buy 25,000 electric vehicles back in 2010, but now is integrating propane autogas and natural gas vehicles into its green fleet to meet customer demand for more options.

• The Director of Engine Technology for PERC reports on the latest developments on several autogas engine research projects currently underway or upcoming in North America.

• NGT News says propane autogas is “primed for a bountiful 2013.”

• The City of Athens, Ga., will vote on the purchase of three fleet vehicles that run on CNG, including two police patrol cars and one garbage truck.

• Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell–who recently implemented a mandate to switch state vehicles to propane autogas and natural gas–has proposed the elimination of the state’s gasoline tax.

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Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek and Josh Budworth of Charter Fuels

Alliance AutoGas certified conversion center Fox Valley Truck converted Iowa County’s 2010 Ford Crown Victoria as part of the complete Alliance program for fleets. The vehicle currently refuels at the Charter Fuels autogas station in Cobb, Wis., but as the County converts more vehicles to autogas in the future, Alliance AutoGas will install a convenient on-site fuel station for deputies.

“We first started looking into alternative fuel when we thought gasoline prices were high—and it’s a good thing, because they’re even higher now,” said Sheriff Steve Michek. “Propane autogas saves us about $1.50 per gallon on fuel costs, and in the long run we’ll save on oil changes and overall maintenance costs because it’s a cleaner technology. The deputy who drives the vehicle has even noticed a slight improvement in vehicle performance driving on autogas.”

Josh Budworth of Charter Fuels, who worked directly with Sheriff Michek to coordinate the vehicle conversion and fueling, said, ““Iowa County is already experiencing significant cost savings with their new clean autogas cruiser, which also helps improve the air quality in their community.”

The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office is just one of an increasing number of U.S. fleets discovering the financial and environmental benefits of clean-burning propane autogas. As more fleets are able to get running on autogas at little-to-no upfront cost while also reducing their fuel budgets and cutting emissions, autogas will continue to play a vital role in America’s energy future.