It’s nearly impossible to imagine this massive country of ours functioning without passenger vehicles, trucks and bus fleets–we need transportation to get us to and from work, to deliver goods and services, and often just to make it from place to place across the suburban sprawl. However, there are ways we can lessen the environmental impact, the “carbon footprint,” our vehicles are leaving behind. Step one is walking and driving more, and also taking public transportation when possible. Drivers who can afford the upfront cost of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles can also do their part to protect the environment by purchasing cleaner vehicles.

America’s fleet industry can make the most difference in improving the air quality of our communities, right now. With thousands of vehicles on the road every day, vehicle fleets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful pollutants by running on domestic clean fuel like propane autogas, natural gas and biodiesel.

Propane autogas is among the lowest total carbon emissions fuels, showing at least a 20 percent reduction in emissions versus gasoline or diesel. In fact, autogas is so much cleaner than conventional fuels, fleets often need less maintenance (think fewer oil changes and less vehicle down time!) and report their propane-powered engines actually last longer. Also, fueling up with propane autogas is greener than gasoline because autogas fuel stations are spill-free with zero-emissions.

Worried about being able to refuel your clean propane autogas vehicles? Don’t be. There are currently more than 2,500 autogas fueling stations throughout the U.S., and that number is growing every day as more fleets switch to this American-made fuel. And with an affordable cost of implementation, it’s financially viable for vehicle fleets to get up and running on clean-burning autogas today at little-to-no upfront cost.

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• A lawn and landscaping company in Missouri saved around $10,000 over the past year operating propane mowers.

• A county in West Virginia plans to compare fleet vehicles that run on propane autogas versus compressed natural gas.

• You can register here for the upcoming Energy Independence Summit 2013, where the nation’s Clean Cities coordinators and clean transportation experts will discuss the future of alternative fuel vehicles in the U.S.

• The Mass Transportation Authority in Michigan just received its first four of 60 total new propane autogas fleet vehicles. MTA originally considered CNG vehicles, but it would have required spending more money on special storage and fueling facilities.

• We’re seeing a trend pop up time and again in the news headlines, first with state governments and now the federal government as well: how do we pay for transportation infrastructure traditionally funded by the gasoline tax, when more and more people are driving less overall and driving alternative fuel vehicles more? Problem is, no one wants to punish drivers who choose clean fuel and advanced technology vehicles by taxing them, but the funds have to come from somewhere! Expect to see more legislation to solve this issue making the news in 2013.

• U.S. truckers say natural gas vehicles are too pricey.

• The West Allegheny school district in the Pittsburgh area plans to begin incorporating propane-powered school buses in their fleet.

• The City of Temple, Texas, is adding 11 clean propane autogas vehicles to their fleet, which already includes five autogas vehicles.

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