• Experts from Alliance AutoGas and ROUSH CleanTech recently spoke with a couple Georgia city and county governments about the benefits of running vehicles on propane autogas.

• The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition is teaming up once again with the team from the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program to present a propane autogas roadshow June 20 in Montgomery.

• How is FedEx reducing its fuel use and emissions?

• A GE Capital Fleet Services survey finds that driver safety is a number one concern among fleet managers.

• Propane autogas vehicle technology was in the spotlight at last week’s Police Fleet Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. Operating on autogas can save law enforcement fleets thousands on fuel costs annually, in addition to the increased vehicle range offered with bi-fuel autogas systems.

• A California transit fleet has introduced new hybrid diesel electric buses to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

• A city in Alabama is switching to biodiesel fuel to power heavy equipment, and expects to save $10k per year in tax credits for using alternative fuel.

• Meanwhile, the Wilmington International Airport has saved about 8 percent on energy costs by greening its operations, including running mowers on clean propane.

• An alternative fuel roadshow is headed to Georgia from 9 a.m.-noon June 13 at Savannah Technical College.

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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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• Alliance AutoGas welcomed Lampton-Love this week, a Southeast U.S. propane retailer that will provide the Alliance complete program to fleets in Tennessee and Louisiana.

• Gasoline prices have been rising steadily for more than a month–and counting! Could mean record highs for 2013, which is bad news for fleets that depend on traditional gasoline-powered vehicles for transportation.

• ROUSH CleanTech is providing three new propane-powered Ford trucks, including the Ford F-59, F-53 and E-450.

• A Minnesota company is helping area fleets enjoy the benefits of running on autogas.

• The Governor of Connecticut is calling for a more comprehensive energy strategy, including the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

• The City of Phoenix will add 120 new CNG buses to their Valley Metro fleet. Meanwhile, a city in Iowa is testing out CNG with two initial vehicle conversions.

• And, finally, check out this video about the new Unified Government propane autogas fleet in Kansas, which is expected to save about $133,000 annually on fuel costs with 13 vehicles.

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–Fleet Director of ROUSH CleanTech fleet customer Dish Network

Whether it’s from a dedication to environmental responsibility or a need for fuel cost savings, more fleets than ever are choosing to run their vehicles on propane autogas. The alternative fuel technology experts at ROUSH CleanTech have created a video highlighting company activities during 2012, with a special focus on the many propane-powered fleets that are saving thousands on fuel costs and significantly reducing emissions with new clean-burning autogas vehicles.

Hear from real-life fleet managers and transportation directors who are pleased with the performance of their new autogas vehicles, from clean Blue Bird Vision school buses to Ford trucks and vans with ROUSH autogas systems.

U.S. autogas fleets are currently saving around $1.75 on fuel compared to gasoline; and because autogas is a cleaner burning fuel, many fleets also report reduced maintenance needs and even increased engine life.

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• CleanFUEL USA and Ferrellgas are providing 37 new public propane autogas fuel stations for Menards home improvement stores across the Midwest.

• Clean Energy has completed the first stage of “America’s Natural Gas Highway.”

• Joe Thompson of ROUSH CleanTech encourages readers to live by their own clean energy policy, whether it’s recycling or reusing products, installing efficient heating and cooling systems, carpooling or implementing alternative fuel vehicles in your fleet.

• One of Blue Bird Corp.’s largest distributors, Central States Bus Sales, has an upgraded training program to better assist school bus fleet clients as the technology continues to advance.

• Propel Fuels raised an additional $21 million for its growing network of alternative and flex fuel pumps. Located at existing gas stations in California and Washington state, Propel’s fueling pumps dispense ethanol and biofuel blends.

• The city of Indianapolis intends to replace its entire fleet with hybrid and electric vehicles to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

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We at Autogas Fleet just wanted to share a few photos with you from some of the activities Alliance AutoGas has been involved in during the past few weeks.

First up was the Green Fleet conference in Schaumburg, Ill., where Alliance partnered with ROUSH CleanTech to spread the word about the benefits of clean propane autogas for fleets.

Then, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office showed off one of their propane-powered cruisers during the Virginia Governor’s press conference announcing the executive order to switch state fleets to natural gas and autogas.

While Alliance AutoGas representative Steve McCoy said a few words on behalf of the partnership to provide affordable autogas fueling and vehicle conversions for Virginia state fleets.

Propane autogas technology was also the buzz at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, North America’s premier farm show.

Finally, here are a couple of pics from Odyssey Day events last Thursday in Atlanta and in Virginia, where they had a Propane Autogas Roadshow.

Can’t wait to see what next month holds! Like Alliance AutoGas on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily alternative fuel and fleet news updates.

• 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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• ROUSH CleanTech announced its latest industry partnership with Green Alternative Systems at the 2012 BusCon Expo this week. Green Alternative Fuel systems will now provide installations of ROUSH’s propane autogas conversion systems  for Transit Shuttle buses. This is the latest step from ROUSH to accommodate the growing fleet demand for autogas.

• In more great news for fleets interested in alternative fuels–and as further testament to growing fleet use of autogas–Alliance AutoGas has launched their network’s first expansion into international territory. Alliance’s announcement of new Canadian partner, Caledon Propane marks a major milestone for increasing North American fleet access to autogas technology and fueling.

• ROUSH CleanTech has had a busy week! Beyond the new partnership we mentioned above, their parent company ROUSH Enterprises announced the purchase of an expansive new facility in Livonia, Mich., near the company’s global headquarters. This new space will support production of ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas systems.

• For the City of Springfield, Illinois propane autogas may help launch a transition to alternative fuel vehicles. This week, the Springfield City Council will consider a proposal for the conversion of 24 city vehicles to propane autogas (17 police cruisers and seven public works pickups). The vehicles would be equipped to run on autogas or gasoline and would be converted in partnership with CleanFuel USA.

• Best known for their school buses, Blue Bird is coming out in support of a different yellow vehicle: a bright yellow Ford Mustang. Blue Bird will sponsor NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in partnership with ROUSH Clean Tech.

• Renewal of expired alternative fuel tax credits at the federal level may be uncertain, but states like Oklahoma are taking steps to encourage driver adoption of alternative fuel vehicle technology. The state of Oklahoma is currently offering tax-payer incentives for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles.

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• As we blogged about on Tuesday, the Sandy Springs, Ga., police fleet has saved thousands and displaced nearly 10 tons of greenhouse gas emissions after switching to propane autogas.

• A recent survey of fleets found that half would consider natural gas-powered trucks, but that “90% are concerned about higher vehicle purchase prices.”

• The California state fleet reduced its petroleum consumption by 13 percent compared to 2003.

• The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is partnering with the Mississippi Development Authority for a Propane Autogas Roadshow in Jackson next month. Featured experts include Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH CleanTech, the Propane Education & Research Council, the Mississippi Propane Gas Association, as well as Program fleets from the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office and Community Counseling Services.

• The governor of Wyoming presented a federal energy policy proposal to the public this week. According to the article, “the policy calls for state control of the energy industry to be prioritized, an increase in energy production and a reversal of several measures supported by the Obama administration, especially relating to fossil fuels.”

• As Hurricane Isaac wreaks havoc on the Gulf Coast, gasoline prices jumped five cents yesterday to $3.80, “the highest ever for this date.”

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