Force 911 and Alliance AutoGas-branded propane autogas trucks

“The Department of Energy had $300 million that they funded projects all of the United States. We did a project of 1,200 vehicles and the city of Kingsport was part of that project,” says Steve Whaley with Alliance AutoGas, who outfitted the Kingsport fleet.

It was an effort at saving fuel costs for the city as well as the obvious environmental concerns. “As we’ve seen in the last few months the volatility of ten-cent everyday increases in gasoline at the pumps. Propane didn’t actually do that. So currently we’re paying $1.50 for propane and $3.01 for gasoline,” city fleet manager Steve Hightower said.

The fact is that these vehicles are known as bi-fuel. You have your choice: gas or propane. “These are bi-fuel systems so nothing changes on the existing gasoline-powered system. What we do is overlay an additional fueling system, the propane system. So you can literally push a button and run on propane or push a button and run on a gasoline system,” Whaley said.

Steve Whaley of Alliance AutoGas discusses propane autogas for fleets during the Knoxville alternative fuel vehicle roadshow.

Alliance AutoGas and vehicle conversion center partner Force 911 are participating in the TN roadshows to display autogas vehicle technology for fleets and discuss the benefits of running on this clean fuel. The roadshow is in Knoxville today and will stop in Chattanooga Thursday. Visit the official alt fuel roadshow website for a complete list of events and additional details, including registration.

Follow us on Twitter or like our page on Facebook for the latest news affecting your fleet or the alternative fuel industry.

• There’s a bill in Louisiana awaiting the governor’s signature that would require the state to purchase vehicles powered by Louisiana-made natural gas and propane autogas. The Airport Shuttle fleet in New Orleans already runs on clean, affordable autogas through the Alliance AutoGas program.

• The Maryland Propane Autogas Roadshow is coming up tomorrow in Mechanicsville, Md. Nearby fleets and drivers in the DC, Richmond or Baltimore areas (or anywhere in between!) should RSVP here for a chance to get a first-hand glimpse of propane autogas vehicles at the Maryland International Raceway–including a propane-powered Mustang from ROUSH drag racer Susan Roush-McClenaghan.

• The Pennsylvania Department of Energy launched a new website related to their Natural Gas Energy Development Program to provide information on compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas for interested fleets.

• FedEx Express, which recently announced a goal to improve fuel economy by 20 percent by 2020, is adding more electric vehicles to its fleet.

• Georgia Public Service Commission Chairman Tim Echols is hitting the road in June with an alternative fuel caravan featuring vehicles powered by propane autogas, electricity and compressed natural gas.

Follow @AllianceAutoGas or like us on Facebook to stay updated on more alternative fuel and fleet industry news.