All About Alternative Fuels, Vehicles, and Fuel Sources

So what is an alternative fuel? It’s anything that bypasses the two big traditional motor fuels: gasoline and diesel. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, 60% of alternative-fuel vehicles nationwide run on propane, from buses in metropolitan areas to fleet trucks, forklifts, lawnmowers and farm tractors. It is the third most popular vehicle fuel, next to gasoline and diesel.

Autogas is the term used to describe propane when it is used as a fuel for vehicles. Autogas is the world’s most popular alternative fuel. In fact, there are more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. that have been manufactured or converted to use autogas!

Its popularity has led to an array of innovations in OEM-supported vehicles that use the fuel, including light- and medium-duty trucks, vans and shuttles.

Additionally, there are now about 15,000 propane-powered buses in the country transporting nearly one million children to school each day, and that number keeps increasing.

Buses fueled with propane autogas are crash-tested for impact in the side and rear, meeting rigorous motor vehicle safety standards.

Kids are benefiting from a healthier ride to and from school as well because propane school buses get an A+ as far as meeting emissions standards is concerned. Studies have shown that, when compared with the old diesel buses they have replaced, buses fueled by propane autogas:

• emit 80% fewer smog-producing hydrocarbons
• reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions by about 10,000 pounds
• lower particulate matter by 315 pounds

Converting engines to autogas

For fleet owners who want the cost benefits of propane autogas but need the flexibility of a gasoline backup or who aren’t ready to purchase new vehicles, EPA-certified bi-fuel conversion kits can be installed on existing vehicles.

You can count on propane refueling technology to deliver as dependably as the vehicles themselves. Refueling with propane autogas is quick, quiet and safe. It’s the same experience as refueling with diesel or gasoline, making the transition to propane autogas easy for fleets.

Autogas-powered vehicles are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, and they provide the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as conventionally fueled versions of the same models, all while holding down operating costs.

Please contact a local propane provider to find out about autogas services or to find an autogas specialist in your area.