In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the agility of state and local emergency responders is more critical than ever. But events like this week’s storm can threaten the dependability of our fuel supply. That’s just one reason many law enforcement agencies have seen significant success with propane autogas.

Autogas is American-made and costs significantly less than gasoline, but it is also a highly portable fuel that can be readily relied upon in times of critical need. Autogas proved the best answer for Sheriff Stan Evans of Jackson County, who wanted a supplementary fuel supply for his deputies. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Sheriff Evans came face-to-face with the threat fuel scarcity could pose, particularly for emergency responders in states directly impacted by such a catastrophic event.

Evans appreciated the reliability of propane autogas supply and the flexibility afforded by autogas vehicle technology. The Jackson County sheriff vehicles use the bi-fuel Prins system from Alliance AutoGas so deputies can switch readily between autogas and gasoline as needed. And with fuel cost savings of $1.50 per gallon with autogas, as well as a 30 percent reduction in harmful emissions, it’s no wonder the Sheriff’s office has transitioned well over half of its vehicle fleet to run on autogas.

This week has presented a solemn reminder of our vulnerabilities; but we are optimistic that as our nation’s energy portfolio diversifies to include more of clean and domestically produced transportation fuels like propane autogas, we will be better equipped for the road ahead.

• The Bobit Business Media magazines: Automotive Fleet, Green Fleet, Government Fleet, Business Fleet and Work Truck. Whether your interest is cutting-edge clean fuel technology or increasing fleet productivity, these publications have you covered with the latest news from every segment of the fleet industry.

• Fleet Owner: With a focus on our nation’s commercial trucking fleets, Fleet Owner magazine provides must-have information on fleet management topics such as fuel, equipment, clean technology, safety, regulations and more.

• Fleets & Fuels: This is a bi-weekly publication with a focus on alternative technology vehicles and the fuels that drive them, such as natural gas, propane autogas, hydrogen and EVs.

• Domestic Fuel: A one-stop website for all the news you need to know about alternative fuels and renewable energy in America today.

• AutoblogGreen: This blog is an offshoot of AOL’s Autoblog, and covers green car goings-on from across the country and around the world, from electric vehicles to propane autogas fleets.

• Greentech Media: A website that focuses on a wide variety of green technology news, including solar, smart grids, wind energy, biofuels and energy efficiency and management.

• NGTNews (Next-Gen Transportation): NGTNews features the latest updates on fuel and equipment for fleet professionals. According to their website, they strive “to give stakeholders insight into the rapidly changing landscape related to vehicles, fueling infrastructure, fuel supply and equipment development.”

• Light & Medium Truck: This publication provides information for business professionals charged with the day-to-day management of light- or medium-duty fleets.

• Fleet Solutions: From the folks at NAFA (National Association of Fleet Administrators), Fleet Solutions offers an in-depth look at the issues that affect fleet owners and managers.

• Commercial Carrier Journal: Geared toward America’s private, for hire, utility and specialty fleets, Commercial Carrier Journal covers industry trends, vehicle maintenance, safety tips and new technology.

• Fleet Maintenance: What fleet maintenance managers of light-, medium- and heavy-duty fleets read to keep their vehicles operating efficiently with minimal downtime.

• NYTimes.com “Wheels” blog: From the automotive staff at the New York Times, Wheels delivers national transportation and automobile coverage, from breaking news to feature stories.

• FuelFix.com: The Houston Chronicle’s energy blog will keep you informed on the very latest in the energy industry.

• SmartPlanet: This CBS Interactive website segments environmental news and commentary by industry, such as business, technology and energy. SmartPlanet keeps readers in the know about energy policy, innovations in clean tech and even some quirky inventions on the horizon.

Note: our Twitter feed also has some interesting stuff from around the interwebs, if I do say so myself.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

CNG is a domestically produced fuel that’s cheaper and burns cleaner than gasoline. The lower per-gallon price of CNG makes it an attractive option for many fleets. However, CNG vehicles only achieve about 60 percent of the range of gasoline vehicles, meaning more fill-ups, more vehicle down-time and more money down the drain. Not to mention the high up-front cost of converting the vehicles in the first place, which ranges anywhere between $12,000—$18,000 for light-duty vehicles.

But it’s the fueling station cost that really puts CNG out of reach for many American fleets. According to the DOE, a small, fast-fill CNG station costs about $400,000. Need a medium or large CNG station for your fleet? That’s probably going to run you between $600,000 and a cool $1.7 mil.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The electric vehicle industry faces many challenges, from a questionable environmental record (*cough*coal*cough*) to fears that EVs could eventually overburden the electric grid. But one of the biggest strikes against EVs is their high price tag. Not only are the vehicles themselves prohibitively expensive, EV batteries remain one of the most expensive after-warranty parts of the vehicle to replace, with an estimated cost of anywhere from $8,000—$18,000. And with reduced driving range and limited carrying capacity, EV technology is simply impractical for American fleets.

Propane Autogas (You knew we’d get to it, right?)

Autogas is the most immediately available, affordable alternative fuel technology on the market today. Like CNG, autogas costs less per gallon than gasoline, significantly reduces emissions and 90 percent of the U.S. supply is made in America. The lower up-front cost for getting a fleet up and running on autogas is what really sets it apart as a more viable clean fuel. For the price of one CNG station, you can build 10 autogas fueling stations; and two light-duty propane autogas vehicles can be converted for the price of one natural gas-powered vehicle. The Alliance AutoGas complete program will even install a home-base autogas fuel station at no up-front cost, meaning fleets can start saving immediately after switching to autogas.

Visit www.autogasforamerica.org for a wealth of information (which we shamelessly mined for this post) on the benefits of running fleets on affordable, American-made propane autogas.

• 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.

It’s easy to find AutoGas vehicles in places like Europe and Asia. Car manufacturers have many models, even American car companies, but they remain unwilling to manufacture them here.There is just not enough demand for or knowledge of AutoGas vehicles here. Until then, America will likely not be seeing luxurious, clean AutoGas sports cars like the new Jaguar C-X75.

But you know who will see them? Germany, Poland, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, India, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, Italy… I’m not angry. Just disappointed.

Safety is an extremely important part of fleet management. You have to account not only for your drivers but also everyone on the road with them. Mobileye provides a service that can greatly reduce dangers to drivers and pedestrians. How do they do this? Well, with magic of course. Mobileye CEO Isaac Litman says, “… and best of all, drivers can drive reassured with the feeling that an extra eye is constantly at work in the car…” Like I said-Magic.

I have no clue if this is how it sees, but then again I've never had an extra eye driving with me

Check out the original article over at Fleet Daily for a much more detailed look at the magic of Mobileye and consider investing in a safety program for your fleet. Let’s not make it another 60 years before we have good news to report as far as traffic accidents go.