The City of Temple, Texas has transitioned 11 fleet vehicles to run on propane autogas in partnership with CleanFuel USA. The City estimates that each propane autogas vehicle annually will emit 1,295 pounds less of carbon dioxide emissions and displace 1,600 gallons of conventional fuels while saving between $2,500 and $3,000 in fuel costs. Last year the City converted five fleet vehicles to run on propane and installed an onsite fueling station.

“Propane autogas fits our Sustainability Management Plan perfectly since the fuel offers substantial savings and allows us to operate a cleaner fleet with a domestically produced alternative,” said Ashley Williams, sustainability and grant manager for the City of Temple. “CleanFUEL USA has been an essential propane autogas partner—from implementing our station to converting our vehicles.”

The transition to propane autogas is part of the City’s Sustainability Management Plan, which details a process of converting the majority of its fleet to an appropriate alternative fuel. The plan commits the City to a clean, safe and healthy environment by exercising sustainable practices that focus on environmental and economical stewardship. The City’s fleet department is committed to this plan by working to achieve the following plan-related goals: reduce energy costs and consumption, prevent pollution, increase energy efficiency, and decrease reliance on non-renewable resources.

The project was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Energy Department’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Texas State Technical College serves as the lead grantee of the funds, which support the development of a national propane autogas refueling network, incentives to convert school buses and other fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, and training for green jobs. This initiative will help displace millions of gallons of petroleum annually.

“Our neighbors at the City of Temple are leaders in the movement toward reducing our nation’s foreign fuel consumption with the use of propane autogas,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and CEO of CleanFUEL USA. “We are proud to provide them—and fleets of any size or specification—with the platforms to help achieve their economical and sustainable goals through our propane autogas offerings.”

The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) has launched a new campaign, Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas, to educate Texans about the benefits of running fleet vehicles and equipment on clean-burning propane autogas. The campaign officially kicked off last week during Texas Propane day, a ride and drive event at the Texas Capitol. The campaign will feature a series of statewide autogas presentations and road shows to provide fleet operators, drivers and community members a hands-on experience with clean autogas technology.

According to ProCOT, Texas is one of the leading states in converting fleet vehicles to run on propane autogas.  The Texas Department of Transportation operates the state’s largest autogas fleet and the Dallas, Houston and Austin Independent School Districts also use propane. The fuel is widely available in Texas with more than 700 fueling stations throughout the state.

“Vehicle fleets that use autogas save an average of 30-50 percent on fuel costs compared to fleets that use gasoline or diesel,” said Jackie Mason, education and marketing director for ProCOT. “Plus, 98 percent of the U.S. propane autogas supply is made in America, and Texas is home to the world’s largest propane storage capacity. Choosing autogas contributes to a greener, stronger economy on both a national and state level.”

A new website was launched as part of the campaign, FuelingTexas.com, and will be regularly updated with news, educational resources and more. Fleet owners will find an array of information on the benefits of propane autogas, as well as available incentives, tax credits, upcoming events and details about autogas for both on-road vehicles and off-road options.

During the NTEA Work Truck Show this week, ROUSH CleanTech and Green Alternative Systems (GAS) debuted the new Ford F-550 chassis cab powered by propane autogas. The F-550 features 65 usable gallons, making it, according to ROUSH, the longest driving range of any dedicated alternative fuel counterpart on the market. The fuel tank sits between the frame rails and behind the aft axle. Customizable to carry up to 33 passengers as a shuttle, the Ford F-550 suits the delivery, construction, transit and utility markets. Equipped with a 6.8-liter, V10 engine, the propane autogas alternative fuel system is available beginning with 2013 model year vehicles or newer.

GAS, a certified Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) installer, integrated the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system technology into the F-550 chassis cab. The vehicles maintain the factory Ford warranty and the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as their gasoline counterparts.

“Partnering with Ford QVM installers allows us the flexibility to launch products faster and package our fuel system to fit customer needs,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “With gas and diesel prices soaring, companies looking for an alternative fuel that doesn’t compromise functionality will see significant savings to their bottom line using this cleaner-burning, American fuel.”

According to Mouw, fleet professionals running propane autogas vehicles can expect to save at least 40 percent on the price of fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent compared to gasoline. There is also a nationwide, large propane autogas refueling network.

“This is a monumental new product release for the fleet industry,” added Sean Connolly, general manager of GAS. “With an industry-leading fuel capacity, this dedicated propane autogas vehicle fills the gap for a reliable alternative fuel option for this commonly used application.”

Wilsons Fuel Company, based in Canada, has become a partner with Alliance AutoGas. The partnership will bring propane fueling to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. The two companies will also provide fleet vehicle conversions to propane autogas.

“We joined Alliance AutoGas because it is the world’s most reliable program to help fleets switch to autogas,” said Gary Highfield, general manager at Wilsons. “Autogas is the most viable fuel on the market for fleets because it’s clean, it costs less than gasoline and installing autogas fueling stations is not expensive. As an Alliance partner, we’re now able to help fleets throughout Atlantic Canada start saving on fuel costs right away by running vehicles on autogas.”

With the joining of Wilsons Fuel to the network, the Alliance now offers services in 40 states and two countries. The program provides fleets vehicle conversions, fueling, on-site fuel station installation data integration training and ongoing technical support.

Stuart Weidie, president of Alliance AutoGas and founder of Autogas for America added, “The addition of Canadian partners like Wilsons plays a key role in the continuing international expansion of the Alliance AutoGas network. It only makes sense that such a well-established company, which generations of customers have come to know and trust, now provides local fleets with the most affordable, dependable transportation fuel on the market.”

Student Transportation has been awarded a contract with Omaha and Milliard Public Schools in Nebraska to transport students with propane autogas school buses. The company will provide nearly 300 buses with more than 400 to be fueled with propane. The contract will begin in August 2013.

To best serve the schools, Student Transportation will open at least three facilities in the Omaha metro area. Blue Bird Corporation will manufacture the propane autogas buses equipped with ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel system technology. The remaining buses in the fleet will be provided by IC Bus, a division of Navistar.

STI Chairman and CEO Denis J. Gallagher said, ”Domestically-produced, clean-burning propane autogas is a perfect fit for school fleets with up to 30 percent less greenhouse emissions. By running propane-powered buses, Omaha Public Schools can reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 2,310,469 lbs. per year, significantly lowering the school district’s carbon footprint, which was its goal for the coming year.”

According to Student Transportation, propane sales currently contribute more than $122 million to Nebraska’s economy.

“This large deployment is the catalyst that alternate fuels needed to become a viable and reliable fuel source for school transportation,” said Gallagher. “We have been leaders in this area and have been pushing and working with our manufacturers to have a final product that can lower greenhouse emissions and lower costs at the same time. We wanted a large project to roll out our initiative in this area so school districts around the country can see there is a better way to transport children to school with a lower cost of operation. “

Blue Star Gas customers have seen “Old No. 44″ delivering propane fuel for 40 years. The classic bobtail truck was also fueled by propane autogas. The truck was originally purchased in 1966 by Bill Stewart, father of Jeff Stewart, who is now the company’s president. Old No. 44 traveled more than a million miles in Northern California and Oregon before retiring in 2006.

In 2007, the bobtail was refurbished in 2007 by Jarco, who first designed the built the International Loadstar 1600 to run on a propane auto-gas. Now it is back on the road with a look and is being exhibited nationwide at trade shows to demonstrate the evolution of propane autogas technology.

“Old No. 44 has served us well, even in retirement,” said Jeff Stewart, a third-generation owner of Blue Star Gas. “The truck’s longevity and performance has been remarkable. It made deliveries for decades over rough terrain, providing the communities we serve with clean, efficient propane. Now an award-winning show truck we use in parades and display at car shows, this old beauty is still an important part of the Blue Star Gas legacy.”

Robert Hobson, a Blue Star Gas service technician based in Salem, and his son Kenny, have taken Old. No. 44 to shows across the country. “It’s interesting to see the 40-year evolution in technology when we display the classic bobtail truck side-by-side with an updated one,” said Hobson. “There have certainly been advances in convenience and safety, but not many vehicles today can match the durability and craftsmanship of this workhorse propane truck.”