Written on: December 19, 2022
As diesel fuel prices continue to be uncomfortably high and inventory levels are constantly changing, propane autogas is increasingly looking like a better option when it comes to fueling your vehicle fleet.
Propane autogas is propane used as a fuel for vehicles, and it is currently the world’s most popular alternative to gasoline and diesel.
Currently, there are an estimated 27 million propane autogas-powered vehicles in the world. This number includes school buses, taxis, shuttles, delivery and construction trucks and more. In addition, there are thousands of propane autogas fueling stations located throughout the United States in every state.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center reports that 60% of alternative-fuel vehicles operate on propane. With this, propane autogas is the third most popular vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel. Due to its high demand, many innovative changes have been made to vehicles that use propane autogas.
On average, you could save 30 to 40% per mile driven by using propane autogas. Historically, propane costs 30% less than gasoline. However, the savings are even greater now with diesel considering the current state of gas prices.
The new, lower emissions diesel technology comes with the extra cost of having to purchase and store Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). Not only that, but in cold weather conditions, you also need anti-gel fluids to avoid clogging fuel filters and fuel lines. If your fleet uses propane autogas, however, you don’t have to worry about either of these issues. Autogas creates almost zero emissions without needed extra fluids added, and it does not gel in very cold weather. That last part offers advantages here in Southeastern Wisconsin, where temperatures can easily drop into the single digits and below zero.
In order to meet emissions requirements, diesel particulate filters have been put into place that need occasional cleaning. However, idling too frequently will actually result in more cleanings being required and thus create extra maintenance expenses.
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about hitting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A primary initiative to achieve this goal is transitioning to all-electric vehicles as electricity is inaccurately seen as a “cleaner” fuel source by most people.
Although a battery-powered electric car itself doesn’t produce any emissions, the power plant that generates the electricity used to charge those batteries probably does. About 60% of the nation’s electrical supply comes from coal-fired power plants. Those power plants are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in the United States, behind only transportation.
A few factors holding back the switch to electric vehicles are lack of availability, problems with charging infrastructure, high initial expenses, and low travel distance per charge.
For those who want the money-saving benefits of propane autogas but need a gasoline backup or can’t purchase new vehicles just yet, EPA-certified bi-fuel conversion kits are available for installation in existing vehicles.
You can count on propane refueling technology to deliver as dependably as the vehicles themselves. Refueling vehicles with propane is virtually the same as with gasoline or diesel. But unlike gasoline and diesel, autogas doesn’t cause any environmental damage if some leaks out during fueling. It simply dissipates into the air.
Because fueling vehicles with autogas is so similar to gasoline and diesel, it makes the transition to autogas easy for fleets. We work with a fellow local business to install an autogas filling station at your business site and create a customized autogas delivery schedule.
You’ll save time and money because managing your fleet fueling is faster and easier, your drivers are more efficient because they don’t lose time looking for a filling station, and fuel theft is virtually eliminated.
Propane autogas fleet operators can also save money by taking advantage of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit, which was recently passed by the U.S. Congress as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This tax credit offers a 37-cents-per-gallon rebate on propane used in motor vehicles, and it is available for both new and converted vehicles.
Are you ready to add the benefits of propane autogas to your business, school district, or municipality? Contact Boehlke Bottled Gas today to set up a consultation.
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