Fleet owners, government officials and community members are welcome to test-drive clean propane autogas vehicles and learn from industry experts. The event is free with registration, and a complimentary lunch will be provided. Speakers include representatives from leading industry organizations like Alliance AutoGas, ROUSH CleanTech, the Propane Education and Research Council, ALLGAS/Lampton-Love and the Alabama Propane Gas Association.

The vehicle ride and drive begins at 2pm, after the informative presentations have wrapped up. Attendees will get hands-on experience with autogas vehicles during the ride and drive, and local fleets such as Lewis Pest Control, Lee County and Community Counseling Services will discuss their experience converting to autogas.

Propane autogas fleets save on fuel and maintenance costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, all while operating on an American-made fuel. Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel, with 21 million autogas vehicles around the world. U.S. autogas fleets save an average of $1.50 per gallon on fuel versus gasoline.

Representatives from Virginia Clean Cities say the Program will complete the targeted total of 1,200 propane autogas vehicle conversions by December 2013.

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• The Alternative Clean Transportation conference and exhibition is being held June 24-27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Embassy Suites in Washington D.C. The Expo Hall is free and open to the public June 26-27. Alliance AutoGas president and CEO Stuart Weidie will speak as part of a panel on alternative fuel infrastructure Wednesday afternoon. His presentation, “The Cost-Effectiveness of Propane Autogas Refueling Infrastructure, Present and Future,” will offer expert insight on how fleets can switch to clean fuel at little to no upfront cost.

• A Lead The Way propane autogas event is scheduled for the afternoon of Monday, June 24 by the Propane Education & Research Council, an ACT Expo presenting sponsor. Mike Barrett, regional maintenance director of Veolia Transportation, will share his firsthand hand experience with switching a nationwide taxi fleet to autogas through Alliance AutoGas, as part of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. The Clean Cities Annual Stakeholders Event is also being held that day.

• As we’ve mentioned previously, the Georgia Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow is traveling around this month, with stops this week in Savannah, Augusta, Valdosta and Columbus. Fleets interested in learning more about a variety of domestic clean fuel options should attend a roadshow to learn from the experts and test drive a vehicle.

• The 2013 National Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference is being held June 20-26 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. Law enforcement officers from across the country will gather to learn the latest trends and technologies available, including clean fuel vehicles powered by propane autogas.

• June 20 also marks the kicks off the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program’s Propane Autogas Roadshow series. The first roadshow is being held in Montgomery, Ala., and is free and open to the public, with registration. Hosted by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, participants include Alliance AutoGas, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, PERC, as well as propane-powered fleets such as Lewis Pest Control, Lee County and Community Counseling Services. Industry experts will discuss operating both vehicle fleets and lawn and landscape equipment on clean, affordable propane autogas.

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• 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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Sheriff Van Duncan accepted the Clean Air Excellence award during a WNCRAQA board meeting May 14 at the agency’s office in Asheville. The sheriff’s fleet is saving more than $13k annually and displacing 20 tons of greenhouse gas emissions running 10 cruisers on propane autogas since February 2012.

Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan accepts the Clean Air Excellence Award, along with Steve Whaley from Alliance AutoGas.

Buncombe County considered the reduction in the fleet’s overall carbon footprint as well as fuel cost savings and vehicle performance when it came to choosing an alternative fuel. Switching to propane autogas was an ideal choice to support the sheriff office’s mission to clean up the community and create a better environment for future generations. Autogas is significantly cleaner than gasoline or diesel, and U.S. fleets currently save upwards of $2 per gallon filling up with autogas versus gasoline.

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• Blue Star Gas helped a medical transit fleet in Salem switch five vans to run on clean, affordable propane autogas through the Alliance AutoGas program.

• As the provider of vehicle conversions and fueling for fleets in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (administered by the folks at Virginia Clean Cities), Alliance has also helped the Buncombe County Sheriff’s fleet save thousands on fuel costs with 10 autogas cruisers.

• The state of Virginia approved a new transportation plan this weekend, moving away from reliance on the gasoline tax.

• Brunswick County in North Carolina is testing out two autogas-powered buses to evaluate how they run and how much money they will save.

• Attention all fleets and drivers in Tennessee: there’s an alternative fuel vehicle roadshow coming your way March 12-26. Alliance AutoGas will be there showcasing clean propane autogas vehicle technology and answering questions.

• Chenango Forks Central School District in Binghamton, N.Y. just voted to add propane-powered buses to its fleet.

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With 24 autogas vehicles, Spotsylvania County will save approximately $70,000 in fuel costs each year, while also displacing more than 60 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

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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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• Fleets in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program saved $1.62 per gallon on fuel costs last quarter.

• A Georgia school district is very pleased with its propane autogas school buses–so pleased, they’re already considering adding more.

• Alternative fuel vehicles are growing in popularity with Colorado fleets.

• GE has purchased 2,000 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids for their fleet and will partner with Ford and researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology to study  driver habits with plug-in vehicles.

• Municipal and government fleets in Arizona are looking for ways to save money, including switching to alternative fuel vehicles like propane autogas and natural gas and taking measures for fuel efficiency.

• The police department of La Crosse, Wis., bought five new patrol cars they’re planning to convert to run on propane autogas.

• Those surveyed in the transportation sector say they’re concerned with the impact fuel price volatility will have on their businesses.

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From areas like Austin, Texas, to Kansas City, Missouri, these new alt fuel projects will help state and local-level governments develop infrastructure, provide training and streamline regional planning to support the use of vehicles powered by propane autogas, natural gas and electricity.

A good example of a successful Clean Cities program in action is the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, administered by Virginia Clean Cities. SPADP is converting thousands of vehicles to run on propane autogas for 30+ fleets concentrated in 10 Southern states, Denver and Pittsburgh.

Fleets in the Program saved an average of $1.62 per gallon filling up with autogas versus gasoline last quarter. And that’s not all–SPADP reported total fuel cost savings for these fleets over the three-month period exceeded $100,000, with almost 250 tons of greenhouse gas emissions displaced. Not bad!

Though affordable autogas technology is already the most viable fuel for fleets to implement, Clean Cities organizations play an important role in boosting the profile of lesser-known alternative fuels like propane autogas.

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• Today, hundreds of events promoting clean transportation are taking place across the nation in recognition of National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey. The kickoff event is being held in Indianapolis, sponsored by Alliance AutoGas, Honda, ROUSH, Toyota and Vectren Energy.

• Virginia Clean Cities is hosting two Odyssey Day events in Virginia, one in Harrisonburg and one in Chesapeake, the latter of which will also feature the Virginia Propane Autogas Roadshow. Va. Governor Bob McDonnell recently announced part of the state fleet will be transitioning to autogas, and the alt fuel experts making this happen–Alliance AutoGas and ROUSH CleanTech–will display propane-powered vehicles at the roadshow and discuss the benefits of clean propane autogas for fleets.

• A new fuel station opened near Eugene, Ore., that offers 10 different fuel choices.

• The Sunbelt Ag Expo in Georgia highlighted clean propane autogas technology for farmers. Alliance AutoGas representatives brought along a propane truck to display autogas technology.

• The Southeast Louisiana Propane Autogas Roadshow, the latest in the SPADP roadshow series, will take place next Thursday in New Orleans.

• CBS News takes a look at why the issue of energy matters in this year’s presidential election.

• Michigan’s Mass Transportation Authority is adding more alternative fuel vehicles to their fleet. The board recently approved the purchase of 60 propane autogas-powered mini buses, making it the largest autogas fleet of any public transit agency in the country. MTA will have a total of 72 autogas vehicles in their fleet.

• Recycling and waste company Republic Services will invest $25 million to bolster its CNG vehicle fleet in the St. Louis area.

• The Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition is hosting an event Thursday to “highlight alternative fuel successes in Louisiana, talk about legislative issues and hear several announcements about the future of alternative fuel in the state.”

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