Fuel for Thought

As everyone in the construction business knows, a truck’s horsepower, torque and towing capacity are key for work and hauling. Due to increasingly strict government and regulatory standards, a company’s commitment to reducing emissions and meeting sustainability goals are more challenging than ever. As emission reduction standards increase, a variety of options for on-road light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks are available to meet government requirements and marketplace demands. Trucks fueled by propane autogas are one such alternative, proven to exceed performance expectations and environmental standards.

Propane autogas is nontoxic, colorless and virtually odorless; an identifying odor is added so the gas can be readily detected. Propane autogas fuels more than 270,000 on-road vehicles today in the United States, including pickups, vans, shuttles, taxis, delivery vehicles and school buses. Worldwide, the number of on-road vehicles fueled by propane autogas is more than 13 million.

Propane autogas is already the nation’s third-most common vehicle fuel after gasoline and diesel. Manufacturers are working to develop additional on-road vehicle platforms fueled by propane autogas. Within the past 20 months, the propane autogas industry has developed 10 new on-road vehicle platforms. These include the ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane-autogas-fueled Ford F-250 and F-350.

The organization supporting the research and development of on-road vehicles fueled by propane autogas in the United States is the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). It supports the safe and efficient use of propane autogas through wide-ranging programs focused on safety and training and the development and commercialization of promising propane autogas technologies.

“Collaboration with manufacturers and researchers like ROUSH CleanTech and government partners strengthens technical knowledge and maximizes investments in developing new propane autogas vehicles and products,” says Brian Feehan, vice president of PERC. “This ensures innovative applications are realized in the most effective way possible.”

High-Performance Vehicles Fueled by Propane Autogas

PERC has partnered with ROUSH CleanTech to support the development of liquid propane autogas injection systems. With the goal of providing the marketplace a cleaner-burning vehicle system, ROUSH CleanTech engineering experts worked with Ford powertrain and calibration systems for many years to develop the propane autogas systems for trucks and passenger, cargo and cutaway vans. The Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks, equipped with 5.4L V8 engines using liquid propane autogas injection technology, offer the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity rating as gasoline-fueled equivalents while reducing greenhouse gases and particulate emissions. ROUSH CleanTech and Ford have also collaborated to offer the same factory warranty coverage for vehicles equipped with the propane autogas system.

Increased Sustainability, Reduced Operating Costs

Emissions standards are becoming more expensive for diesel vehicles to meet. Propane autogas easily complies with those standards. Studies show the ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks fueled by propane autogas emit up to 18 percent fewer greenhouse gases with 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, 60 percent less carbon monoxide and fewer particulate emissions than trucks fueled by gasoline. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) has granted certification approval for these pickups, meaning these alternative fuel vehicles meet the strict California emissions standards and can be sold and operated in all 50 states. The vehicles also are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition to reducing emissions, the propane autogas used to fuel these vehicles plays a strong role in lowering the national dependence on foreign oil. Ninety percent of propane used today comes from domestic production sources.

Tax credits for each gallon of propane autogas used as engine fuel also allow for greater operating cost reduction for fleet managers. More information may be found on the U.S. Energy Department’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center at www.afdc.energy.gov/afcd/laws.

Convenient Propane Autogas Refueling Infrastructure

Many fleets are making the refueling process convenient by installing an onsite refueling infrastructure that eliminates trips to off-site stations. Depending on storage necessity, longevity and available space, there are underground storage tanks for longer-term use or above-ground skids that can be replaced or removed. Propane providers can help determine which refueling option best fulfills a fleet’s needs. Propane autogas is an extremely portable fuel. In fact, propane autogas is one of the only alternative fuels with stations in every state.

“The readily available, nationwide infrastructure makes refueling with propane autogas an economical and efficient alternative to conventional fuels,” says Feehan.

The private, onsite systems have been tested with more than 15 years of field use delivering fleet flexibility, increased fuel management and complete reporting capabilities. Installation of private propane autogas infrastructure is significantly less expensive than installing other alternative fuel refueling systems. Due to the increasing use and demand for vehicles fueled by propane autogas, there are thousands of refueling stations in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicle Data Center. There are locations in every state, with more than 200 in Texas and California each and 100 or more in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

Upfitting a Current Fleet for Propane Autogas

Fuel conversion systems can be used to switch gasoline- or diesel-fueled pickups and vans to run on propane autogas. New trucks and existing vehicles can be converted if they meet certain configuration requirements.

“PERC has made significant investments in supporting the development of liquid propane autogas injection technology, and we look forward to helping fleet operators across the country reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs with vehicles fueled on propane autogas,” Feehan says.

Two propane autogas tank sizes are offered for the ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 and F-350 trucks. The 55-gal in-bed tank spans across the bed of the truck, next to the cab. It only takes up about 20 in. of depth, which leaves plenty of cargo capacity in the bed. This larger-capacity tank provides extended range between fill-ups, allowing for longer hauls. The 23-gal under-bed tank fits snugly along the vehicle’s frame rail where the fuel tank would be in conventionally fueled vehicles. It uses existing mounting points, so no new holes are drilled into the frame. This option allows for the full use of the cargo area. Regardless of location, the 23- and 55-gal tanks safely store propane autogas, and are 20 times more puncture-resistant than traditional fuel tanks.

Powerful Propane Autogas

Vehicles fueled by propane autogas are successfully meeting, and often exceeding, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements while offering a viable alternative to conventionally fueled vehicles. There are approximately eight new vehicle platforms in development that will provide fleet managers a variety of options to best meet their needs. These include the medium-duty Ford F-450 and F-550 models that, like the diesel and gasoline versions, will be capable of hauling larger equipment such as skid steers, compact excavators and mini-utility equipment with a payload around 10,000 lbs. Expect availability in late 2011.

The combination of robust propane autogas engine technology, increasing availability and existing refueling infrastructure means fleets can begin capitalizing on the benefits of propane autogas immediately. The first step is to contact fleet dealers or manufacturers for more information about vehicles fueled by propane autogas. Fleet managers also may visit www.autogasusa.org or contact their local propane autogas providers for further details.

Joe Thompson is president of ROUSH CleanTech, based in Plymouth Township, Mich.  He blogs at www.fleetblogs/fuelforthought.com and can be reached at joseph.thompson@roush.com. Content was also contributed by Brian Feehan, vice president of the Propane Education and Research Council, based in Washington, D.C.

Energetics Inc., Propane Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Analysis. (Washington, D.C.: Propane Education & Research Council, 2009).

U.S. Energy Department’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: www.afdc.energy.gov/afcd/laws.

At a Glance

Basics of Vehicles Fueled by Propane Autogas:

1. There are more than 270,000 vehicles fueled by propane autogas in
   use today, including trucks, shuttles, vans, buses and taxis.
2. ROUSH CleanTech trucks fueled by propane autogas emit up to 18
   percent fewer greenhouse gases with 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, 60
   percent less carbon monoxide and fewer particulate emissions than trucks
   fueled by gasoline.
3. Onsite propane autogas refueling infrastructure can be easily and
   affordably installed. There are also thousands of existing refueling
   stations in the United States.
4. Nearly 90 percent of U.S. propane supplies are produced
   domestically.

Pain at the Pump

Gas prices are once again in the headlines. And it looks like diesel prices are also on their way up for 2011. Projected retail diesel fuel prices are averaging $3.14 per gallon for this winter, an increase of 35 cents per gallon over last winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 2011, higher crude oil prices combined with higher refinery margins push annual average prices for motor gasoline and diesel fuel to $3.00 and $3.23 per gallon, respectively.

But Land Line magazine recently reported that a recent five-week trend has shot the average up to $3.331 per gallon to start the year. California diesel is already over $3.50 per gallon, averaging $3.507 for the week. The Central Atlantic region is in second with an average of $3.470 while the West Coast region averaged $3.443 for the week, according to Land Line’s report. The retail price of a gallon of diesel fuel reflects the underlying costs and profits (or losses) of producing and delivering the product to customers. The price of diesel at the pump reflects the costs and profits of the entire production and distribution chain, including:

1. The cost of crude oil to refineries
2. Refining costs and profits
3. Distribution and marketing costs and profits and retail station operation
4. Taxes

So why does the price fluctuate so often? The U.S. Energy Information Administration gives several reasons (read a bunch of ’em at www.eia.doe.gov), including U.S. diesel fuel supply and demand imbalances, seasonality in the demand for distillate fuels and international diesel fuel demand. It seems that caution is the only constant — expect those diesel numbers to fluctuate higher this year.

Fleet Sales Support Chevrolet Clean Energy Initiative

The New Year is bringing new incentives for adding to your fleet. By purchasing Chevrolet vehicles during the next year, fleet customers will be contributing to the automaker’s $40 million clean-energy investment project. Chevrolet’s goal is to reduce 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions through various energy efficiency, renewable energy and conservation initiatives throughout America. Eight million metric tons is equivalent to the emissions in 2011 from driving the 1.9 million vehicles Chevrolet is expected to sell in the United States over the next year; a figure that includes the brand’s anticipated fleet sales.

“This is one more way Chevrolet is helping businesses of all kinds green their vehicle fleets,” said Brian Small, general director of GM’s fleet and commercial operations. “When a fleet manager purchases vehicles from Chevrolet, he or she knows they are also contributing to a cleaner environment.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 8 million metric tons equals the CO2 emissions of one year of electricity use in 970,874 homes or the annual carbon reduction from 1.7 million acres of pine forest. Chevrolet’s clean energy investments to be implemented in the next three to five years may include projects such as:

1. Providing energy-efficient technology such as smart energy sensors and solar panels to schools and other community-based facilities in need of upgrades to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and reduce heating bills.
2. Supporting wind farms and solar projects that deliver renewable energy to the grid and also help family farms increase their revenues per acre.
3. Capturing flammable methane from community landfills that delivers clean energy to the grid and improves local air quality and safety.
4. Contributing to forestry projects throughout America.

“This is a good opportunity for Chevrolet to connect with its fleet customers through clean energy projects that directly impact many of the communities in which they operate,” added Small.

Since 1990, GM has decreased its manufacturing emissions by 60 percent. GM also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to build fuel-efficient vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway, and the Chevy Volt electric car with extended-range capability. The Volt allows 25 to 50 miles of pure electric driving on a single charge after which a small gasoline engine/generator creates electricity for an additional 300 miles. For more information about Chevrolet’s clean energy investment initiatives, visit www.chevycarbonreduction.com.