A new study is debunking the common perception that EVs are “zero-emissions” vehicles and offer the lowest emissions in medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicles. In most of the United States, propane autogas produces fewer emissions than comparable electric vehicles. Among other benefits compared to electric vehicles, autogas is reliable in all climates. From extreme temperatures to hurricane season, you can count on autogas to always perform.
As the study shows, there is no such thing as a “zero-emissions” vehicle. In a comparative analysis conducted by the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), researchers found propane-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles provide a lower carbon footprint solution in 38 US states and Washington, DC when compared to medium- and heavy-duty EVs charged using the electric grid in those states. When comparing the difference in life-cycle equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2eq) emissions of a single medium-duty vehicle, propane autogas on a national average emits 125 tons of CO2eq less than an electric medium-duty vehicle.
The total difference in life-cycle CO2eq emissions (US tons) between a single medium-duty conventional propane vehicle and a single medium-duty EV. Photo Courtesy of the Propane Education and Research Council.
As we move forward, propane autogas will continue to improve environmentally by leaps and bounds through new engine developments and renewable propane. One of the many benefits is that it can be scaled up while remaining an ultra-low carbon intensity process. In vehicle engines, renewable propane has a carbon intensity of 19%, which is five times better than diesel and gasoline. Also, renewable propane’s carbon intensity score is 14, compared to 39 for an electric vehicle, 78 for fossil propane and 86 for gasoline.
The total difference in life-cycle CO2eq emissions (US tons) between a single medium-duty renewable propane vehicle and a single medium-duty EV. Photo Courtesy of the Propane Education and Research Council.
To learn more about the comparative analysis, read Steve Whaley, Director of Autogas Business Development at PERC, full writeup on the study by clicking HERE.
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Happy Fox, Alternative Fuel Consultant for Alliance AutoGas, will be joining representatives from Palmetto Clean Fuels (PCF), the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), McAbee Trucking, and Spartanburg Regional Health System for a virtual discussion on how fleets are using propane autogas to continue providing essential services during COVID-19.
This roundtable discussion will go into detail about the benefits of propane autogas and what a fleet should consider when switching to alternative fuels. PERC and PCF will also present information about current funding opportunities and ways to integrate propane autogas into existing fleets. The roundtable will be on Thursday, April 22nd at 1:00 p.m. (ET).
Energy Unplugged with Stuart Weidie is a thought-provoking new podcast series that explores modern energy solutions in the U.S. and abroad. Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, and CEO of parent company Blossman Gas will be joined by co-host Mark Denton, Vice President of Business Development for Alliance AutoGas, and by rotating energy experts to speak on the current and future state of the energy industry and its technologies. Episodes will release on the first and third Tuesday’s of the month, with the inaugural episode available for steaming on Spotify April 6th.
“I am excited to work with Stuart Weidie on our new podcast, where we will debunk some of the myths and misinformation about various energy sources and data,” says Denton. “Our objective is to have guests who have expertise in different areas of energy in order to get to the facts about energy options for U.S. and international consumers.”
This first episode will feature Tucker Perkins, President of the Propane Education & Research Council. Perkins has worked in the propane industry for 26 years, having served as the director of business development for Inergy, chief executive officer of Premier Propane, and the chief operating officer of Columbia Propane, a unit of the Columbia Energy Group.
“We are looking forward to providing perspectives from a wide spectrum of energy experts to inform our listeners of the opportunities, innovations and realities of the energy complex,” says Weidie. To listen, stream episodes on www.energyunpluggedpodcast.com or on Spotify (link).
For further information, please contact Sam Raines, Communications Specialist for Blossman Gas at sraines@blossmangas.com.
Congress passed H.R. 133 on December 21, 2020, an omnibus package, which includes COVID-19 relief and FY2020 appropriations legislation. This bill contains several significant wins for the propane industry, including appropriations funding for research and development projects through the Department of Energy, an extension of the alternative fuel tax credits, COVID-19 relief for small businesses, and other broad energy provisions.
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) President and CEO Stephen Kaminski applauded the work of Congress on passing critical year-end legislation that supports small businesses and energy consumers across the country.
“The propane industry is a clear winner in Congress’ year-end legislation,” Kaminski said. “NPGA worked tirelessly with its member companies and allies in Washington, DC to secure the inclusion of several policy priorities in the final legislative package of the 116th Congress.”
Propane Highlights:
Appropriations funding opportunities through the Department of Energy
$5 million for vehicle engine technology including dimethyl ether (DME)
Within available funds (WAF) for micro combined heat and power (CHP) combined with other renewables
WAF for CHP micro-grids
One-year extension of the alternative fuel credits
Alternative Fuel Tax Credit
Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Credit
COVID-19 Relief
Tax fix allowing the deductibility of business expenses related to PPP loans
Emergency Rental Assistance Program including funds to be used to cover utilities and home energy costs and arrearages
Energy Provisions
Commitment to phase out the use of Hydrofluorocarbons
Successfully lobbied against misguided building codes language that would have impacted housing affordability and favor electrification
NPGA & Congress
NPGA engaged Congress throughout the year to build on the success of last year’s appropriations efforts. In February, NPGA conducted its first-ever appropriations-based fly-in to garner support for funding opportunities through the Department of Energy for vehicle engine technology including DME, micro-CHP combined with renewables, and CHP microgrids. House and Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittees included these provisions in their annual report, and ultimately in the year-end spending bill.
Alternative Fuel Credits
The year-end legislation also includes a one-year extension (through December 31, 2021) of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit and the Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Credit. These provisions are worth more than $165 million annually to the propane industry and were set to expire at the end of 2020. In recent months, NPGA worked with a small business coalition to meet with tax-writing committee legislators and send a letter to Congress with signatures from over 400 organizations. These efforts helped secure an extension of the tax credits, which will provide tax certainty to the propane industry and its customers and help transition more Americans to autogas vehicles.
Propane for the Future
“NPGA applauds the work of our Congressional champions for passing a year-end package that prioritizes small business and clean energy sources, like propane,” Kaminski said. “As a near-zero, low-cost, domestic fuel, propane is a fair and fast solution to the nation’s emissions reduction goals. The provisions included in this legislation demonstrate to the new Congress and incoming Administration Americans’ collective recognition that propane provides practical and proven planet protection for today and tomorrow.”
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Alliance AutoGas (AAG), a national coalition of businesses providing the fuel, technology, and ongoing support to autogas fleets across the country, and Northeast Tennessee Rural Public Transportation (NET Trans) recently received the 2020 Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Award for their joint efforts in improving the air quality in Eastern TN.
NET Trans provides door to door, non-emergency transportation to anyone requesting a ride. Their vehicle fleet is equipped with wheelchair lifts and able to serve customers with disabilities throughout their footprint. The company is a not for profit, working as part of the First Tennessee Human Resource Agency, and serves numerous counties in the northeast region of Tennessee, along with urbanized areas outside the city limits for Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. In 2016, NET Trans implemented an autogas program with AAG and continues to support the surrounding community with their fleet of autogas transit vans. This past September, NET Trans opened its third refueling center at the U-Haul location in Kingsport, TN. Candace Long, Director of NET Trans says, “We continue to see a need for our service, and autogas is helping us fulfill that need. Our region is seeing the benefit in fueling our transit vehicles with propane autogas.”
Autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in world, with over 23 million drivers on the road globally. Its many benefits include the reduction of harmful tailpipe emissions such as CO2, greenhouse gases, and NOx, the cost savings per gallon vs gasoline or diesel, and in the U.S., the opportunity to use a domestic fuel. 99% of our nation’s propane autogas is produced in North America, meaning fleets that use the alternative fuel are also increasing American energy security. In addition, on average, autogas costs about 30% less at the pump than gasoline at any given time. Even during spikes in the price of crude oil, the relationship between the price of gasoline and autogas have held steady, keeping autogas as a viable solution for vehicle fleets wanting to make a positive environmental impact today.
The Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards recognize outstanding initiatives to improve the efficiency, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of transportation systems in the state. “We congratulate these winners who are on the cutting edge of possibilities in sustainability in transportation,” says David Salyers, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). “Their innovation and achievements come in many forms, but all share the goal of a better environment, and our state benefits from their example.”
NET Trans was additionally named the 2017 winner of the annual Propane Autogas Fleet Award from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). The award recognized NET Trans’ strong commitment and successful transition to propane use as a member of fleet transit. Jessica Johnson, Partner and Projects Liaison for AAG says, “Seeing what NET Trans has been able to do for their community in such a short time, is such an inspiration for other fleets who want to improve the air quality in their own communities. Cleaner air is made possible, one autogas vehicle at a time, and we are honored to be part of that process.”
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Brian Green, Business Development Manager for Green’s Blue Flame Gas, who has been a partner of Alliance AutoGas (AAG) since 2010, and Eddie Waldrop, Fleet Manager for Blossman Gas, the founding partner of AAG, participated in the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) autogas webinar series on November 16th to discuss why and how their companies took the leap and converted their fleets to propane autogas, as well as the challenges and successes they found along the way.
In October of 2019, Green’s Blue Flame finished converting the last of its service and delivery vehicle fleet to operate using propane autogas. This now means that their entire fleet, 100% of their applicable vehicles, are propane equipped. To watch the webinar, click HERE.
Happy Fox, Alternative Fuel Consultant for Alliance AutoGas, participated in an Autogas Answers webinar on November 17th that was presented by the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition. The Clean Vehicles Coalition is a Clean Cities program started by the Land of Sky Regional Council in the Western North Carolina area. The Clean Cities program was started by the US Department of Energy to work with states and communities across the country to promote the use of cleaner, alternative fuels and vehicles. To watch the webinar, click HERE.
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Since 1961, Roy Jorgensen Associates (Jorgensen) has provided maintenance consultant services, facility maintenance operations, and roadway maintenance services throughout the United States. One of the roadway programs Jorgensen oversees is the Road Ranger Service Patrol Fleet. The Road Ranger fleet provides incident management response services and limited no-cost highway assistance to motorists to improve highway safety for emergency responders and the motoring public. In 2015, Jorgensen collaborated with Alliance AutoGas (AAG) to begin a pilot propane autogas program. Autogas, the name for propane when used as a vehicle fuel, has many benefits including decreased fuel cost per gallon, greater vehicle uptime, and reduced harmful emissions.
“After learning about the work Jorgensen was doing with the Road Ranger fleet and how much mileage their fleet puts on throughout a year, I knew AAG could offer a great autogas program that would improve their operation,” says Ed Hoffman, president of Blossman Services, the autogas system distribution partner of AAG. The autogas vehicles used by the Road Ranger fleet operate throughout Florida’s southeastern coast. There are approximately 40 autogas vehicles in the Road Ranger fleet, and since beginning their program in 2015, the fleet recently celebrated refueling with their one millionth gallon of autogas this past July.
“Our autogas program has been an eye-opener on what alternative fuel can do for fleets,” says Ernie Molina, Vice President for Roy Jorgensen Associates. “The cost saving benefit compared to diesel or gasoline was evident, however, the other benefits make a big difference for the Road Ranger fleet.” One of those benefits include AAG providing the infrastructure for a personal refueling center. “The maintenance vehicles have to refuel often, as they’re providing service 24/7 every day of the year. Having access to our own refueling station for whenever we need it is a game changer,” says Molina.
From extreme temperatures to hurricane season, the Florida climate requires durable transportation. The majority of the vehicles in the Road Ranger Patrol Fleet travel over 100,000 miles per year. “One aspect that we like about our autogas vehicles and working with AAG is how reliable the systems are. We can count on our autogas vehicles no matter what the weather conditions are, and we do not have to worry about fuel prices inflating like gasoline or diesel. We also save on things such as DEF fluid.”
Another key aspect Jorgensen was interested in when they started the autogas pilot program was making a difference environmentally. Propane-converted vehicles emit 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than vehicles running on gasoline and 80 percent fewer smog-producing hydrocarbon emissions than vehicles running on diesel. For the Road Ranger fleet, using over a million gallons of autogas is the equivalent to planting 280,761 trees that grow for ten years according to EPA calculations.
When asked about surpassing one million gallons of autogas, Molina says “Knowing the environmental difference Jorgensen and the Road Ranger fleet has made by using a million gallons of autogas is quite remarkable. Jorgensen continues to be impressed by the Road Ranger autogas program and we will be mindful of what autogas can provide moving forward.” Hoffman of Blossman Services adds “Jorgensen has been a great partner to work with. The Road Ranger fleet is a great example of autogas shinning in vehicles putting on high mileage, often in extreme weather conditions, and working around the clock.”
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Autogas Day, which is celebrated on November 4th, is a dedicated occasion that takes place annually to provide a high-level conference on the most recent autogas developments, as well as an opportunity for the LPG industry to get involved through local activities targeting key stakeholders worldwide.
Last year featured a successful start of Autogas Day during the 32nd World LPG Association (WLPGA) Forum & European Congress. This year, Autogas Day will take place as part of e-LPG Week with three sessions on November 4th, 5th & 6th. Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, will be participating in a virtual panel on Friday, November 6th between 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. EST. The session is titled: Autogas Part 3: The Transport Energy Mix of the Future
There is a global push towards carbon neutrality and improved air quality, and while there is a consensus on the need to act, the path is not always clear. This panel will discuss the right policy and incentive instruments for the transition and effective deployment of low emission and renewable solutions in the road transport sector.
To watch the discussion live, register for the event HERE.
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Midwest Green Transportation Forum & Expo
Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, recently participated in the Benefits of Sourcing Renewable Propane Autogas panel, which was part of the of the Midwest Green Transportation Forum & Expo presented by the Clean Fuels Ohio organization in September.
Conventional propane autogas offers air quality and climate benefits above both gasoline and diesel. Renewable propane provides greater environmental benefits with zero differences operationally and at comparable costs. “Despite what you read, and despite what see in the news, the internal combustion engine is not dead. We need to consider multiple solutions, and renewable liquid fuels is an important part of us meeting our emissions reductions goals for both this country and globally,” says Weidie.
Virtual Propane Expo
Weidie also participated in the Virtual Propane Expo (VPE) in September to discuss renewable propane. The VPE was created by propane industry leaders in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak of early 2020 as a solution to help bring the propane industry together.
Part of the discussion included the importance of the Carbon Intensity Score, which is calculated by compiling all the carbon emitted along the supply chain for a fuel including all the carbon used to explore, mine, collect, produce, transport, dispense and burn the fuel.
As the fleet industry continues to advance in technology, there are now more tools available than ever before that can help companies monitor and improve their fleet processes. Having critical data available for benchmarking and improvement opportunities is a good practice to help any fleet with everyday challenges. With Alliance AutoGas, data management is more accessible and easy to interpret.
Data Management & Telemetry
Fuel consumption is a top priority for any fleet manager, and the T3MR Triton Dispensing unit offered by Alliance AutoGas (AAG) allows for data management and fuel reporting to be captured in real time. The ability to capture your fleet fuel consumption and telemetry, which refers to the automatic measurement and transmission of data at a distance by radio, cellular or other means, is vital in making calculated decisions for a fleet. This technology provides key data for every unit and driver involved in operating your fleet vehicles.
With Alliance AutoGas, your fleet data can be reported in an easy to read format for your analysis. Not only does our Triton Dispenser offer simple refueling, data management and real-time fuel card management, but our team is able to troubleshoot refueling issues remotely, allowing our fleet customers to get back to work.
Reliability & Ongoing Support
“Higher Power Towing sees great value in the data that Alliance provides us,” says Jeffrey Howell of High Power Towing, an AAG customer in Jacksonville, FL. “We regularly use fuel transaction data to validate our financial return. We recently did a study and realized that if we added an additional tank to our trucks we can extend our range to 750 miles. This lets us avoid buying gasoline all together.”
Reliability and ongoing support are what makes AAG different from other alternative fuel programs. Our network of autogas retailers and certified professionals provide our customers with nationwide coverage and unparalleled care. The added benefit of Telemetry data we can offer fleet customers illustrates our commitment to keeping autogas vehicles on the road. Want to learn more about what Alliance AutoGas can do for your fleet? Contact us today!
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