Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world, powering more than 21 million vehicles globally. The “Lead the Way” autogas event will cover refueling infrastructure pitfalls, how switching vehicle fleets to autogas can benefit taxpayers, insight on financing for alternative fuel fleet programs and more. Policymakers and public and private fleet managers are encouraged to attend to learn more about autogas, the most viable fuel for fleets.

Autogas for America founder Stuart Weidie will speak during the ACT Expo on Wednesday, June 26, during a 3:30pm panel called: “Fueling the AFV Revolution: Updates on Rapidly Expanding AFV Infrastructure Networks across North America.” His presentation, titled, “The Cost-Effectiveness of Propane Autogas Refueling Infrastructure, Present and Future,” will provide expert insight on just how affordable and easy it is for fleets to get up and running on propane autogas, with a focus on building autogas fuel stations. (For example, did you know it can be 15 times more expensive to build a CNG fuel station vs. an autogas station?) In fact, infrastructure for natural gas is so cost prohibitive, some even wonder if it will ever really catch on with more American drivers.

A variety of propane autogas vehicle technology will be on display during the ACT Expo, which runs June 24–27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. ROUSH CleanTech will showcase a propane-powered Ford F-650, CleanFUEL USA will display a GM 4500 chassis and PERC will have a Liberator 6.0-liter engine, as well as autogas dispensers.

In addition to propane autogas, the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo represents all alternative fuel types on the market, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, and renewable fuels. As North America’s largest alternative fuel and clean vehicle technology conference and expo, the ACT Expo provides direct access to the latest OEM and technology products, offering a one-stop shop for fleet managers to learn about the wide-range of solutions available.

Don’t forget to like Autogas for America on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive daily autogas updates.

Carbon dioxide is the most important heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere, and this concentration of the gas has not been seen on Earth for at least three million years. Scientists say this high level will likely cause massive climate changes and encourage rising sea levels.

But, as Pennsylvania State University climate scientists Richard B. Alley puts it: “If you start turning the Titanic long before you hit the iceberg, you can go clear without even spilling a drink of a passenger on deck. If you wait until you’re really close, spilling a lot of drinks is the best you can hope for.”

So, how can we help turn the tide and avoid this disastrous outcome?

Running more vehicle fleets on domestic clean fuel is vital to supporting clean air, not only today, but for generations to come. Fuels like propane autogas, natural gas, biofuels and hybrid-electric vehicle technology help protect the health of our environment by drastically reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions compared vehicles that operate on gasoline or diesel.

Autogas is one of the lowest total carbon emissions fuels, with a 20 percent reduction in GHGs versus conventional fuels. For example, the City of Newport News in Virginia eliminates more than 11 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually operating just  22 autogas fleet vehicles. Propane autogas is also one of the most cost-effective alternative fuel options for fleets, not only in terms of fuel price per gallon, but also in regards to the upfront cost of implementation. In fact, it’s actually possible to build 15 autogas stations for the price of just one CNG station and convert two light-duty vehicles to run on autogas for the price of just one light-duty CNG vehicle conversion.

Autogas is a widely available, American-made, clean-burning fuel that will help ensure clean air for our communities. Not only that, propane autogas is without a double the most viable fuel for fleets who want to reduce emissions and fuel costs without breaking the bank on expensive fueling infrastructure or vehicles. Cleaner air is within our grasp–it’s up to America’s vehicle fleets to get the ball rolling by switching to domestic clean fuel like autogas.

Don’t forget to like Autogas for America on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive daily alternative fuel news and views.

No one is a fan of raising taxes, whether it’s the gasoline tax or fees for alternative fuel vehicles, but we can no longer depend on the gasoline tax to fund our nation’s transportation needs. On one hand, this is a good thing; it means we’re decreasing our reliance on gasoline for vehicle fuel and increasing our nation’s energy security. On the other hand, the money has to come from somewhere—and it’s becoming increasingly clear that taxing drivers of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles is not the answer. Part of the allure of switching to alternative fuel or purchasing an electric vehicle is the promise of eventual cost-savings, and any move to tax these drivers is sure to be met with resistance.

The state of Virginia, for example, has legislation approaching ratification that would replace the gasoline tax of 17.5 cents per gallon with a 3.5 percent wholesale tax on motor fuels and a $64 annual fee on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles (down from $100 as part of a compromise). While this was meant as a way for clean vehicle drivers to continue contributing to the state’s transportation fund, some criticize the so-called “hybrid tax” as detrimental to adoption of clean fuel vehicles, petitioning the legislature to eliminate the tax from the bill.

Other states struggling to address transportation funding in the new era of alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles include Indiana, Maryland, and New Jersey. In Florida, a group is proposing to tax drivers for every mile they drive in order to make up for an estimated $74 billion shortfall in funding for necessary transportation projects. West Virginia is considering a similar program; however, Minnesota recently tried this and found the tracking technology lacking. Even the federal government is grappling with the question of how to increase funding for important transportation initiatives without raising taxes. However, as an article in Politico recently pointed out:

The most obvious, simple and straightforward solution would be to raise the 18.4-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax, which hasn’t budged since the last time it was raised in 1993. But that’s also the most politically difficult option. As a result, a gas tax increase has become the third rail of transportation policy, sending lawmakers of all political stripes — Democrats as well as Republicans — fleeing.

We are certain to see this issue played out on both the state and national level. Solutions will most likely be a matter of trial and error as part of the growing pains of collectively switching to domestic clean fuel. Luckily for drivers of vehicles that run on affordable American-made fuels like propane autogas, fuel cost savings are significant and, in many cases, immediate. While a $64 fee may negate any savings a driver of an electric-hybrid vehicle sees in a year, autogas vehicle drivers can save thousands annually on fuel costs alone.

Follow us on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more alternative fuel vehicle news and views.

*All images courtesy of East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition.*

One tax credit allows clean fleets to recoup 50 cents per gge (gasoline gallon equivalent) specifically for the alternative fuels propane autogas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid natural gas (LNG). The other provides a 30 percent credit on fueling infrastructure for any alternative fuel, on up to $30,000 per facility.

Though propane autogas is already affordable for fleets to implement without federal funding [see our recent post “America’s most cost-effective and practical clean fuel succeeds despite lack of government support”], this is still great news in terms of encouraging the use of domestic alternative fuel in the U.S. transportation sector. Fleets that have already made the transition to clean fuel will recoup enough money to add even more alt fuel vehicles over the next year. For fleet operators that have thought about converting to an alternative fuel but worried about the upfront cost, these tax credits may just be the extra incentive (pardon the pun) they need to take that first step toward greening their vehicles and saving on fuel costs in the long run.

If you’re a fleet operator considering making the switch to alternative fuel in 2013, we encourage you to do your research to decide on the most practical fuel for your fleet. The Alternative Fuel Fact Briefs available on the Autogas for America website provide a side-by-side comparison of propane autogas versus natural gas electric vehicles and gasoline, so you can see how each fuel stacks up in the areas of cost, emissions reduction and overall viability.

Here’s to a greener 2013 for American fleets—happy saving!

Propane autogas is gaining momentum with American fleets because it’s the most practical and cost-effective clean fuel on the market. Not only can autogas stations be implemented for a fraction of the expense of other alternative fuel infrastructure, they can also be built quickly and at no upfront cost to fleets. Autogas has averaged $1.45 less per gallon than gasoline over the past five years.

Proponents of other alternative fuels lobby the government for support to make their clean fuel technology viable, while thousands of fleet vehicles across the country are already saving money on fuel costs, and achieving a faster ROI, by converting to autogas.

Recent examples of U.S. autogas market growth include:

• multiple Texas school districts switching their buses to propane autogas through CleanFUEL USA, which recently announced more than 37 new or expanded contracts with Texas ISDs for autogas refueling infrastructure equipment.

• the Alliance AutoGas network expanding internationally to give Canadian fleets access to its complete autogas vehicle conversion and refueling program.

• major OEM manufacturer ROUSH CleanTech expanding its presence in America’s automotive capital of Detroit with a new 60,000 square foot facility to support the production of autogas systems for the new Blue Bird Vision school buses. ( CleanFUEL USA recently announced an upgraded new Detroit-area facility, as well.)

• new propane-autogas-powered fleets making headlines every day like the Sandy Springs, Ga., PD; the Lee County Sheriff’s Office; DHL; the City of Springfield, Ill.; and Veolia Transportation, which is converting 300 taxi cabs to autogas nationwide.

• states like Mississippi, which is running several public fleet vehicles on autogas, and Indiana, which is converting hundreds of government fleet vehicles to autogas and implementing 115 autogas stations across the state.

Despite autogas being the most cost-effective, easy-to-implement clean fuel, the popularity and government favoritism of CNG will remain an obstacle. According to a recent report from Pike Research, “even though [CNG] fuel is much more difficult (and more expensive) to handle than autogas, it looks as if CNG will attract the majority of the incentives from many governments around the world.” But whether or not natural gas lobbyists achieve continued favoritism among legislators, propane autogas will always have an advantage as the only practical clean fuel that fleets can already affordably adopt.

The bottom line is, the federal government may be ignoring the most viable alternative fuel on the market, but America’s fleets certainly aren’t.

Electric vehicles aren’t “zero-emissions” as advertised. Sure, EVs may have no tailpipe emissions, but when an EV plugs in, where does the energy come from? The fact is, almost 50 percent of our nation’s electricity is produced by coal. According to one new study, half of an EV’s lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are produced during the manufacturing and shipping phase.

• Alternative vehicle fuels aren’t just better for the environment, they’re better for your health. In some states, vehicle emissions constitute the largest source of air pollution like smog and ozone, which can lead to respiratory and other health issues. That’s why the American Lung Association promotes alternative fuel use.

• Current technology cannot affordably harness enough renewable energy power to meet electricity demand. Also, while wind and hydro power are considered by some to be viable energy sources, researcher and author Vaclav Smil contends that these two sources could only supply a small portion of future energy demand. Together, all renewable energy sources only constitute 8% of current worldwide energy supply, according to Smil’s book.

• Biofuels, such as ethanol, are not feasible future energy sources. With the challenges that global food supply is currently facing, we can no longer afford to use food as vehicle fuel while other alternatives are available. Many experts have linked redirected food supply used for producing corn-based ethanol to rising tortilla and livestock feed prices. “Ethanol is taking a larger and larger share of [corn] production,” says one agricultural economist.

To learn more about the differences between alternative fuels, view our Alternative Fuel Fact Briefs online.

PHOTO SOURCE: Project Seed

Sometimes the day’s news can bring it all home, can clearly illustrate the link between foreign oil and our wallets. Today was one of those days.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) failed to come to an agreement today over boosting oil output levels in the face of increased demand and high oil prices. Currently, OPEC’s members alone supply some 40 percent of the world’s oil. (Compare that, for example, to the fact that 90 percent of America’s autogas is produced domestically).

Whatever the current supply and demand configuration is (though it is a fact that OPEC supplies were disrupted earlier this year), it is well known that high-growth, industrializing countries like India and China are increasingly demanding more petroleum resources. As the United States and other industrialized nations remain dependent on foreign oil imports, competition for these resources will become more fierce.

OPEC’s apparent ambivalence at $100+/barrel oil might be explained another way. An oil analyst interviewed by the Washington Post posited that oil exporters are “more interested in cashing in on high oil prices right now than in stabilizing energy markets,” thanks in part to rigid demand.

Source: OPEC.org

Saudi Arabia seems to know what high oil prices might mean in the long-term, though: switching to domestically-produced alternative fuels. As the analyst put it, “They don’t want countries to turn to alternative fuels. They don’t want people on buses.”

Grand Junction, Co. had the best of intentions when it decided to invest in several natural gas-powered trash trucks. However, due to the large tank size required for CNG storage, the town’s trash trucks have had nearly two feet added to their length. Since CNG is less dense than liquid fuels, the size of the fuel tank must be increased in order to make up for lost range.

Autogas for America has launched a new series of informational “fact briefs” that compare and contrast certain alternative fuels. The first in the series, “American, Abundant… and Affordable?”, analyzes the viability of using natural gas (specifically, compressed natural gas) for light-duty vehicles. In addition, a complete cost comparison between propane autogas and CNG is provided.

We welcome your thoughts and questions. Post your comments below!