CleanFUEL USA to Showcase Liquid Propane Injection System Installations and New Vehicle Offering at NTEA Work Truck Show

Major Propane Autogas Customer to be Announced with Industry Partners at Press Conference

 

 

Georgetown, Texas (PRWEB) February 26, 2014

Who: CleanFUEL USA, an industry leader in propane autogas technology

When: March 4-7, 2014

Where: The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

What: CleanFUEL USA will announce with industry partners a leading Fortune 500 customer’s intent for significant adoption of propane autogas vehicles and refueling stations. As well CleanFUEL USA will announce a new vehicle offering at the show and offer a first-hand look at its Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) system in several installations.

Major Customer Announcement Press Conference in PERC Booth #5103 on March 5 at 8:00 a.m. ET

Press conference hosted by Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), CleanFUEL USA, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) and Powertrain Integration with a leading Fortune 500 company and sustainability leader to announce a first-of-its-kind rollout of propane autogas vehicles and refueling stations on Wednesday, March 5, at 8:00 a.m. ET.

On-Display in CleanFUEL USA Booth #5291

CleanFUEL USA will reveal a new vehicle offering and display an upcoming vehicle offering, the GMC C2500 pick-up truck equipped with a 6L engine and a CleanFUEL USA LPI system, as well as a CFT PRO 6100 propane autogas refueling dispenser. Other installations of the LPI system at include:

Freightliner MT-45 walk-in van – Propane Education and Research Council’s (PERC) booth #5103;
Powertrain Integration 6L and 8L engines – Powertrain Integration booth #5295.

Propane Autogas Ride & Drive, March 4-6

Two vehicles equipped with CleanFUEL USA’s LPI system will be available to test drive at the Propane Autogas Ride & Drive event on March 4-6 from 12:00-4:30 p.m. ET at the convention center’s Maryland Street Motor Lobby: the GM G4500 cut-van chassis and the Freightliner Custom Chassis 8L S2G with a Linebacker Crane Truck body by Signature Truck Systems.

Propane Autogas Panel Session with City of Springfield

CleanFUEL USA customer William McCarty, director of Budget and Management for the City of Springfield, Illinois, who oversaw the municipality’s police patrol cars and pickup trucks’ conversion to propane autogas and installation of an on-site refueling station, will speak on the panel, “Fueling a Competitive Edge: How Top Fleets are Succeeding with Propane Autogas,” on March 4 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

For details on the NTEA Work Truck show, please visit: http://www.ntea.com/worktruckshow.

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 http://www.cleanfuelusa.com.

Connect on Twitter (@CleanFUELUSA), Facebook (facebook.com/CleanFUELUSA) and YouTube (youtube.com/CleanFuelUSA1).

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OEMs to discuss corporate plans for propane autogas

Several OEMs of propane autogas technology will participate in a panel discussion March 27 during the 2014 Propane Engine Fuel Summit in Irving, Texas. Panelists from Bi-Phase Technologies, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., General Motors and Roush CleanTech will discuss autogas’ future and their plans for autogas vehicles during the discussion.

According to a press release, attendees and viewers will learn what types of vehicles are currently on the market, as well as plans for future models. Vehicle performance, certifications and warranties will be discussed along with the benefits of fueling with autogas.

The summit can be attended in person or viewed live via a free online webcast. There is no charge for viewing the event online, courtesy of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Read more here.

School district looks at buses powered by alternative fuel

A school bus powered by propane made a tour of the Methow Valley last Wednesday, part of the school district’s research into potential replacements for its aging bus fleet.

The school district has nine buses with an average age of 10 years, all with more than 100,000 miles on them, according to Methow Valley School District Transportation Supervisor Hunter Maltais. The district also has a newer van for special-needs students.

The district is looking into propane buses because the fuel is cleaner and easier on the engines, therefore requiring less maintenance, said Maltais. Propane-fueled vehicles typically last three to five years longer, he said.

The fuel is also less expensive than diesel. Propane currently costs $1.24 per gallon, whereas the district is paying $3.40 for a gallon of diesel, said Maltais. Propane gets lower fuel economy — about 5 miles per gallon, compared with 7 or 8 miles per gallon for the diesel buses, said Maltais.

Still, Maltais calculates that switching to buses using the alternative fuel would save the district $5,000 per bus each year. The district’s current budget for transportation — including salaries and maintenance — is $456,000, he said.

Because of its very low emissions and nontoxicity, propane is considered a “green” fuel, said Maltais. Vehicles that run on propane use less oil and do not require additives to assist with starting in cold weather.

Most propane (also known as liquefied petroleum gas – LPG – or autogas) is a byproduct of natural-gas processing and crude-oil refining, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Today there is an abundant domestic supply because it is also a byproduct of hydraulic fracturing (also called fracking) for natural gas, said John Van Winkle, a sales representative from Schetky Bus & Van Sales, who drove the demo bus to the valley. Schetky is the largest dealer of school buses in the Northwest. Read more here.

Array of Autogas Vehicles Headed for Work Truck Show

Fleet professionals interested in transitioning to alternative fuels will have more opportunities to test drive cost-effective, low-emission vehicles at this year’s NTEA Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Show in Indianapolis March 4-7. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is sponsoring the show’s first dedicated propane autogas test drive event, the Propane Autogas Ride & Drive, beginning at noon March 4 and continuing through March 6 outside the Maryland Motor Lobby at the Indianapolis Convention Center. To register for the event, visit www.ntea.com.

PERC reports that in 2013 autogas sales reached an all-time high as established original equipment manufacturers (OEM) produced record numbers of dedicated propane vehicles. Class 1 through 6 autogas-fueled trucks and vans will be available for test drives from OEMs including Roush CleanTech as a Ford-qualified vehicle modifier, General Motors and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. in partnership with CleanFUEL USA, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc., and ICOM North America.

“Fleet managers can find more state-of-the-art propane vehicles today than at any point in the history of the fuel,” said Michael Taylor, PERC director of propane autogas. “At PERC’s ride and drive event, fleet professionals can try out a variety of propane autogas vehicles and get behind the wheel to witness the power and performance of this clean, American-made fuel.”

In addition, manufacturer and PERC representatives will demonstrate the ease of refueling with propane autogas and answer questions from fleet managers. “Drive cycles can vary greatly from industry to industry and we are fortunate to have PERC representatives on hand to help determine if propane is a good fit,” said Bob Johnson, NTEA director of fleet relations. “The size of your fleet, budget, and access to infrastructure are all factors to consider when choosing which alternative fuel works best for you. Our job is to provide attendees with the right resources to make that decision.” Read more here.

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Free Brochure on Safe Autogas Vehicle Operation

Your Propane Autogas Vehicle: Important Tips for Safe and Efficient Operation is designed for fleet managers, drivers and service staff. It covers safety and fueling and offers a number of facts, tips and additional resources to ensure that the vehicle operates smoothly and efficiently. Check it out here.

Daimler Truck Financial Celebrates 40 Years

Daimler Truck Financial announced that 2014 marks a company milestone, 40 years in the U.S. trucking industry. Since its inception, Daimler Truck Financial has grown its portfolio to more than $8.7 billion with a customer base of more than 500 dealers and more than 24,000 customers.

The announcement and official celebration took place in Orlando, Florida at the opening ceremony of the company's biannual "Truck and Bus Series" meeting with the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus dealers and Daimler Trucks North America executives.

Freightliner Financial opened its doors in 1974 with few employees and a handful of contracts. Since that time, the company has grown to more than 200 employees located across the country, with offices in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Fort Mill, South Carolina and Fort Worth, Texas. Read more here.

Freightliner S2G Propane Autogas Truck in Final Testing Phase

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. is completing final testing of pre-production S2G propane autogas trucks and expects to begin production of the vehicle in the summer, according to a company spokesperson.

Freightliner, which introduced the front-engine truck at the 2013 NTEA Work Truck Show, has built 25 pre-production S2G trucks so far. The company is now evaluating the systems of four test vehicles.

"Once we've reached a level of confidence with these four test vehicles, we will being delivering the field test units to assigned customers," according to Freightliner. "Our expectation is to revue real-world, operational and positive feedback from end users. When we do, we will then schedule regular production and begin taking orders."

The S2G will offer an 8.0L dedicated propane autogas engine that generates 339 hp and 495 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an Allison 2300 automatic transmission. Gross vehicle weight will come in at 33,000 pounds.

The S2G utilizes the Freightliner M2 cab, which features a sloped, forward-tilting hood for improved visibility and engine access. Read more here.

Collins boosts bus serviceability

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Collins Bus Corp. has upgraded many of the features on its school buses to improve their serviceability, company officials said.

The changes to the manufacturer’s Type A buses are aimed at giving technicians improved access to several areas as they perform maintenance.

• Four-inch holes were added below the rear bulkhead to aid in accessing the evaporators.

• A schematic decal was added on the back of the electrical panel for easy troubleshooting.

• Wires were rerouted below instead of in the wall for rear lighting.

• Bigger access holes were added behind the warning lights.

• The DOD (double out door) panel can be removed for easy access to the motor.

• Wire covers unsnap for easy removal.

Collins also offers an optional battery/storage compartment. It has up to 7.2 cubic feet of storage and is capable of holding 120 pounds. Company officials said that the compartment offers flexible storage options for batteries, jumper cables and other safety equipment. Read more here.

Texas School Bus Fleet Still Keen on Propane After 30 Years

CleanFUEL USA Announces Two Additions to Sales Team

CleanFUEL USA is happy to announce two additions to its sales team.

Matthew Koshinski comes to CleanFUEL from Caterpillar Inc. where he managed various projects to develop retrofit and upgrade kits for Caterpillar industrial engines.  While at Caterpillar, he also provided technical support on a global basis to territory sales representatives and Caterpillar dealers.  His responsibilities at CleanFUEL will include OEM dealer development and support, specifically focusing on sales of the Freightliner S2G Chassis, beginning with the bobtail platform and quickly expanding into additional body-styles. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University.

Brooke McWhirter comes to CleanFUEL with multiple years of experience in both the state and national legislative offices for Congressman John Carter. Most recently, Brooke worked in marketing at the Texas Railroad Commission, promoting the use of propane autogas, predominately in school buses, throughout the state of Texas. Her responsibilities at CleanFUEL will include dealer development and support, specifically focusing on sales of the Thomas Built C2 and Minotour propane buses, as well as the Collins propane NEXBUS. Brooke holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas.

                                                                             

“We are excited to add such high-caliber talent to our sales team. The experience the two bring to the table will have an immediate impact, helping the Company to continually provide excellent service in sales and dealer support within the specific market segments,” says Curtis Donaldson, founder and managing director at CleanFUEL USA.

Now Playing: Thyssenkrupp Elevator

Director of Fleet Tom Armstrong talks about his company’s search for an alternative fuel and how propane autogas was clearly the best option for their service vehicles.

Autogas summit to be accessible online for free

TSN Communications, which is producing the Propane Engine Fuel Summit on March 27 in Irving, Texas, released additional details about its upcoming event, including speakers and discussion topics.

According to TSN Communications, the Propane Engine Fuel Summit can be attended in person or viewed live via a free online webcast on March 27. There is no charge for viewing the entire event online, courtesy of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The summit kicks off the fifth annual Texas Alternative Energy & Transportation Conference & Expo.

Among the topics to be discussed are how fueling with propane autogas can benefit a company’s bottom line; which autogas vehicle technologies are now available; and which OEMs offer propane applications.

Joe Thompson, president of Roush CleanTech, will be a keynote speaker. Thompson plans to share his years of experience in the automotive industry while addressing technological advances in autogas fuel systems in a session titled “This Isn’t Your Grandpa’s Propane Vehicle.”

Fleet managers who’ve adopted autogas vehicles in their fleet, and executives from the Propane Education & Resource Council (PERC), CleanFuel USA and the Industrial Truck Association are also scheduled to speak. Read more here.

CleanFUEL USA January Newsletter

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