FCCC Nears Propane S2G Production

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp will commence production of its dedicated-propane S2G vehicles in Gaffney, S.C. early next month, opening a new era for propane companies who will now be able to power the bobtail trucks they use to deliver propane with propane fuel.

FCCC has just completed a four-state road show during which fleet operators could drive the new dedicated-propane S2G bobtail.

FCCC unveiled the S2G at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis in 2012, and showed a vehicle with CleanFuel USA fuel system completed by Signature Truck Systems at WTS this year (F&F, March 8).

Now the manufacturer is wrapping up a four-stop road show – the truck was shown and customers could drive it at propane events in Savannah, in Taos, N.M., in Nashville and in Waco, Texas – and will begin fulfilling an order book that stands at more than 150 units.

Fuel system supplier CleanFuel USA reported U.S. EPA and California Air Resources Board certification of the S2G last month (F&F, July 19), and said that S2G chassis-based trucks are the only propane autogas trucks on the market with a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Read more here.

New S2G Propane-Fueled Bobtail Called a Winner

Bobtail drivers who took the new S2G propane-autogas-fueled Freightliner Custom Chassis bobtail for a test drive gave the truck a thumbs-up in this video that FCCC made at this year's Work Truck Show.

CleanFUEL USA Hires Propane Industry Veteran To Lead Sales Team

GEORGETOWN, Texas –– August 27, 2013 – CleanFUEL USA, an industry leader in propane autogas technology, announces the addition of Blair Poulsen as director of sales. Poulsen will be responsible for leading a team dedicated to the relationships and sales needs for both propane refueling infrastructure and OEM vehicle technology, including Thomas Built Bus, Collins Bus, General Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC).

“Blair is an excellent addition to the CleanFUEL USA staff,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and managing director of CleanFUEL USA. “His two decades of experience in the propane industry along with his track record of success, integrity and leadership experience will benefit our growing list of fleet customers.”

Poulsen brings more than 23 years of propane industry experience, most recently as regional sales and marketing director for Heritage Propane and AmeriGas Propane. Poulsen currently serves as chairman on the Nevada Board for the Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

“I have watched sales of autogas gallons grow during the past few years to become a significant market segment for propane retailers nationwide,” said Poulsen. “I am excited to join CleanFUEL USA as they expand their line of product offerings available for fleets during a time of rapid industry growth.”

CleanFUEL USA will continue to make new hiring decisions while growing their line of propane autogas offerings, including the FCCC S2G, which will be in full production by early September.

For more information on CleanFUEL USA and its products, visit cleanfuelusa.com.

About CleanFUEL USA:
CleanFUEL USA, the nation’s first developer of liquid propane fuel injection systems, is a leading manufacturer of propane autogas dispensers and refueling infrastructure. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, with an engineering division in Wixom, Mich., CleanFUEL USA celebrates more than 20 years of innovation. Setting industry standards with a complete alternative fuel solution, CleanFUEL USA products offer unsurpassed economic and environmental advantages. Learn more at cleanfuelusa.com.

Roy Willis Chats with Dean and Don (KMA 960AM)

Listen to Roy Willis, CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, speak candidly on energy independence, fuel prices and success stories surrounding propane autogas fleets.

MotorWeek Highlights: Texas Law Enforcement Vehicles Fill up With Propane - Williamson County, Texas

Propane Power For Pickups: Fueling Stations

Dispensing Propane Refueling Concerns
Why infrastructure isn’t your biggest barrier to alternative fuels; Refueling on the road is now easier than ever.

Once a contractor has decided on the right propane autogas vehicle for their operations, the crucial question becomes “How will I refuel?” For many contractors, this important question is often a barrier when it comes to adopting alternative fuels.

Tucker Perkins, chief business development officer for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), says that’s the first concern he addresses when speaking with contractors or new adopters.

“Propane is the most widely available alternative fuel in the U.S. right now, and more than 17 million vehicles in the world operate on propane autogas,” Perkins says.

“There are more refueling stations in the U.S. with propane than any other alternative fuel. That’s in large part because propane refueling stations are incredibly affordable and easy to install and operate.” Read more here.

Clean Cities Case Study: Menards

Propane vehicle drivers will now be able to refuel at 32 new locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, thanks to collaboration among CleanFUEL USA, Ferrellgas, and Menards home improvement stores. The project was funded in part by a U.S. Department of Energy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) award to Texas State Technical College. Through the project, CleanFUEL USA and its partners establish fueling stations and convert vehicle fleets to propane operation. Under the partnership, CleanFUEL USA provided the dispensers; Ferrellgas provided 1,000-gallon tanks, installation services, training, and propane for each location; and Menards hosts the stations at its stores.

"Menards saw an opportunity not only to improve the environmental impact of its own operations but also to further enhance the communities it operates in," said Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition (CACC) Coordinator Samantha Bingham. CACC will promote the availability of Menards' publicly available stations to fleets across the Chicago region. Menards hoped to offer propane both as a vehicle fuel and for customers to fill portable cylinders for gas grills and other such uses. So CleanFUEL USA developed a special dispenser, the CFT 2200, which can accommodate both uses. Read more here.

Clean Cities: Spotlight on Propane

Clean Cities Top 20 Facts
More than 250 million gallons of petroleum displaced since 2004

Worldwide, propane is the third most common vehicle fuel, next to gasoline and diesel fuel. Over the last 20 years, Clean Cities has played an important role in the growing use of propane as a transportation fuel. Recent coalition reports show that stakeholders have displaced more than 250 million gallons of petroleum since 2004 by using more than 31,000 propane vehicles.

Did you know? The number of propane fueling stations is on the rise, recently passing 2,800 public and private stations. The increase is aided by projects like the collaboration of Menards home improvement stores, CleanFUEL USA, and Ferrellgas, with assistance from the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition. This project alone resulted in more than 30 public fueling stations at Illinois and Wisconsin Menards locations. Read more here.

When It Comes to Energy, What Are Transportation Companies Thinking?

A recent study released by CIT Group Inc., a company that provides financing to major transportation companies and carriers, suggests that "the industry is bracing for an era of higher energy prices and increased regulations."

"This study highlights the fact that transportation executives are preparing for a future of uncertainty, both in terms of fuel prices and regulations," says Jeff Knittel, president of CIT Transportation Finance.

"They are implementing strategic business plans in response to the potential for a protracted era of higher energy costs and growing concern regarding current and proposed emissions regulations," he adds.

Forbes Insights conducted the study, which questioned transportation executives in the aerospace/airline, maritime, trucking and rail sectors about various trends. A key finding is that nearly 80% of those executives expect energy costs to increase over the next three years. Read more here.

Texas RRC: Two great videos on fuel savings tips and safe refueling for propane school buses.

The Texas Railroad Commission has prepared a video to train your drivers on how to get maximum fuel efficiency when driving a propane school bus. You can view that video as well as a video on safely refueling propane school buses below and download the videos, along with a refueling guide here.

AFVResale.com offering a much-needed channel for green vehicle resale process

AFVResale.com is offering a service to alternative fuel vehicle owners that plays a major role in acquisition and lifecycle cost analysis – resale values. Launched last year, the site is offering a platform for alt-fuel vehicle owners, primarily fleets, to remarket used green vehicles and for buyers to find competitive deals on vehicles that are not easy to find at auctions or dealerships. Read more here.

August Clean Cities Question of the Month

Question: Where can I find case studies and other information about fleets that have successfully adopted alternative fuels and advanced vehicles?

Answer:
Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Resources.
The AFDC Case Studies search (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/case) is a great resource for examples of what real fleets are doing related to alternative fuels. This page allows the user to search by category or keyword. Categories include fuels and technologies, such as biodiesel and idle reduction, as well as applications such as law enforcement and public transit. The Case Study search functionality was recently updated to provide a better search experience, so be sure to check it out.
Another useful tool is the AFDC Publications database (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/publication/) . The publications database includes more detailed reports and case studies written by the national laboratories and other organizations regarding the implementation of alternative fuels and advanced vehicles in fleets. This page is also searchable by category or keyword. Read more here.

Global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market is Expected to Reach $266.41 Billion in 2018

ALBANY, New York, August 13, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ --
According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research (http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com) "Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market (Refinery, Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas) for Residential/Commercial, Chemical, Industrial, Auto Fuel, Refineries and Other Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2012 - 2018", the global LPG market was valued at USD 210.07 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach USD 266.41 billion by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period from 2012 to 2018. In terms of volume, LPG demand was 252.50 million tons in 2011 and is expected to reach 327.19 million tons by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period from 2012 to 2018.

Owing to cost benefits offered by LPG over other conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel, has resulted in enhanced demand for autogas vehicles, further leading to increase in LPG consumption on a global scale. Environmental benefits of LPG, such as low carbon emissions and cost and operational benefits, is expected to drive market demand over the forecast period. However, fluctuations in crude oil prices and downstream derivatives, coupled with high transportation costs is expected to hinder LPG market growth. Read more here.

Going Green, Saving Green: A Fleet Manager's Guide to Alternative Fuels Best Practices

The media often positions alternative fuel types as a consumer movement, but the truth is, commercial and government fleets are actually much better poised to use alternative fuels.1 This is the case for one main reason: Unlike most individual consumers, a fleet’s fueling choices are premeditated. Vehicles must typically refuel at specific depots or at known stations along well-defined routes. There’s less process uncertainty, making it easier for them to integrate alternative fuels across their fleets in a consistent, systematic way.

 

But while the case for alternative fuels is compelling, knowing how to implement them in your fleet isn’t always obvious. How do you roll out green initiatives without raising operating costs and exposing your fleet to market fads?

 

In this paper, we provide fleets with best practices for the cost-effective implementation of alternative fuels in a commercial or government fleet. The following critical topics will help with decision making and planning:

• Know the station coverage in your area
• Compare historical fuel costs
• Calculate the total cost of vehicle ownership
• Identify and use tax credits
• Approach fuel conservation comprehensively

Download the white paper here.

More school districts shift away from diesel fuel to stretch strained budgets and promote cleaner air.

As schoolchildren around the nation head back to the bus stop in the coming weeks, a number of them may notice a change in their school buses.

A growing number of school districts across the USA are shifting parts of their fleets from diesel fuel to propane to stretch strained budgets and promote cleaner air, according to officials from school districts and from private companies that operate school fleets.

The overwhelming majority of the nation's 480,000 school buses still run on diesel — about 95%, according to the industry publication School Transportation News. Biodiesel, usually made from domestically produced oils such as soybean oil, recycled cooking oil or animal fats and blended with petroleum diesel in amounts of 2%-20% is the most common alternative fuel, followed by compressed natural gas, according to the magazine. Read more here.

Propane Autogas vs. Natural Gas

Autogas for America recently published a brief comparison of implementation costs and environmental impact between propane autogas verses natural gas in several categories. They used sources that included the US Department of Energy, US Energy Information Administration and various third-party studies. See the numbers here.

Buses running on propane make positive economic impact

As the first Missouri school district to add propane buses to its fleet, the Fort Zumwalt School District was featured on the July cover of School Transportation News.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader in green transportation technology. We’re doing our part for our students, our community and for the environment,” said Laura Wagner, assistant to superintendent-PR/Media.

Eight propane-fueled buses transported students on regular routes for the district last school year. The district will add another 22 propane-fueled buses to the fleet when school starts on Aug. 14.

With 18 percent of the fleet running on alternative fuel, drivers, mechanics and fuel technicians all have been through training on the new equipment. The district currently has 198 drivers and monitors, including substitutes. In addition to the 30 propane-fueled buses, the district has 138 diesel buses in its fleet.

“Only those drivers who bid on the appropriate routes or who will be driving the appropriate routes were trained on the propane buses,” said Wagner.

Wagner said there are many benefits to using propane-fueled buses including quieter engines and cleaner burning fuel.

According to the district, propane buses cut 60 percent of the carbon monoxide, 12 percent of the carbon dioxide, 20 percent of the nitrogen oxide and as much as 25 percent of the greenhouse gases their gasoline-powered predecessors used.

Lower fuel costs will also save the district about $3,000 per propane bus annually, according to Chief Financial Officer Jeff Orr. The district saved an estimated $24,000 for the eight propane buses in operation last year. Read more here.

PERC Propane Autogas Video

This colorful, two-minute motion graphics video is an energetic overview of the benefits propane autogas delivers to fleets. Viewers will learn how propane autogas’ impressive emissions profile reduces greenhouse gas. The video also illustrates how propane autogas’ affordable fuel and infrastructure add to a lower life-cycle cost-of-ownership for fleets, while its American-made foundation moves our country forward.

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