Until then, here’s your weekly collection of the top alternative fuel news headlines:

• The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has issued its annual alternative fuel vehicle data set…for 2011. Better late than never? Natural gas, ethanol and propane autogas were the top three most-consumed alternative fuels.

• Williamson County, Texas, is saving $73,000 annually operating 36 fleet vehicles on autogas. Their story is part of the Fueling Texas campaign from the Propane Council of Texas to educate fleets across the state about the benefits of operating on autogas.

• A New York school district is considering adding Blue Bird propane-powered buses to its fleet.

• The Chicago Tribune offers a few simple fuel economy tips for drivers.

• Is turning cow manure into natural gas the future of clean energy?

• A local FedEx Ground delivery fleet in South Carolina is running on autogas.

• Affordable electric vehicles are still not a reality.

• The Monticello Police Department in Iowa is considering the switch to propane autogas.

• TransEnergy Solutions and the Propane Education & Research Council are hosting a Green Transportation Conference in Denver April 30.

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Attendees will find experts from ROUSH CleanTech and Alliance AutoGas on hand at the ROUSH CleanTech booth in the exhibition hall to answer questions about implementing a successful propane autogas program for fleets, including vehicle conversions and purchasing OEM autogas vehicles, implementing autogas fueling infrastructure, the fuel cost savings with autogas and what’s on the horizon for propane autogas technology for fleets. (If you’re exhibition hall, come say “hi” to the team!) Alliance is also displaying an autogas fuel dispenser at the Propane Education and Research Council’s booth to demonstrate how easy it is to refuel a propane truck. (Spoiler: it’s as easy as refueling a gasoline truck!)

People often think of natural gas when it comes to the most viable alternative fuel for trucks–this may be true for heavy-duty applications, but propane autogas actually offers the best combination of vehicle performance, cost savings, emissions reduction and affordability for light- and medium-duty truck fleets. For example, 15 autogas fueling stations can be installed for the price of just one CNG station; and two light-duty vehicles can be converted to run on autogas for the price of one natural gas vehicle. There is also virtually no difference in performance between a propane autogas and gasoline vehicle–except, according to one driver, perhaps a “quieter” ride.

But why not see for yourself? During the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive March 6-7, propane-powered trucks from ROUSH CleanTech, PERC and Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., will be available for test drives. Other vehicle power systems featured include diesel, CNG, hydraulic hybrid and electric hybrid (series and parallel).

Have you thought about switching your truck fleet to alternative fuel? How did various clean fuels stack up, in your experience? Share with us in the comments!

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