Utility Fleet ENews: Exploring Alt-Fuel Truck Options

Fuel spend continues to be the top cost centers for today’s fleets. And, while gasoline and diesel both continue to be subject to the volatility and vagaries of commodities brokers and geopolitical jockeying, alternatives, particularly propane autogas and compressed natural gas (CNG), both remain relatively inexpensive and stable.

Indeed, over the last several years, both OEMs and upfitters have begun giving fleets the option of running their light- and medium-duty trucks on either propane autogas or CNG using dedicated or bi-fuel systems.

These alt-fuels have increasingly captured the imaginations of fleet managers, political leaders, and consumers alike. Mike Taylor of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) said propane autogas is the market’s “best kept secret,” and during his recent State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama called CNG, the country’s “bridge fuel.”
The following are a representative sampling of some of the OEMs and upfitters who are offering either (or both) propane autogas and CNG options to fleets.

Meeting Fleet Needs

CleanFUEL USA offers a Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) system for the propane-autogas option available on the GM 6.0L G4500 Cut-Van Chassis and the Freightliner 8.0L S2G Chassis. The company recently added a third vehicle option, the Freightliner 6.0L MT 45/55 chassis.
The GM Cutaway Van Chassis can be ordered at any dealership (the purchaser must choose the LC8 hardened engine and can choose either the three- or four-tank option).
The system is backed by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Freightliner 8.0L S2G chassis incorporates a dedicated propane autogas engine built on the S2 chassis platform. It has a 33,000-pound GVWR and comes equipped with an Allison 2300 automatic transmission with PTO provision. According to the company, the propane autogas version of the Freightliner MT45/55 has approximately the same capabilities as the gasoline version. Read more here.