With the help of state funding, the fleet of Colonial Airport Parking Inc. – located two miles from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – will be powered entirely with propane autogas by this March.
The airport parking and shuttle provider was recently awarded a $66,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to cover propane autogas conversions for four shuttle buses, which will bring the company’s fleet to 100% propane autogas. Each of Colonial’s shuttles accommodates up to 14 passengers and their luggage.
Colonial Airport Parking says it has actively pursued a path toward clean transportation since 2015 by starting the conversion of its fleet to propane autogas in partnership with ROUSH CleanTech. In 2017, it reported reductions in fuel costs and bus maintenance costs of 32% and 28.4%, respectively.
Colonial estimates that its fleet of propane-powered Ford E-450 shuttle buses will emit 730,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over their lifetime – helping save more than 18,800 gasoline gallon equivalents per year and increasing operating efficiency for customers.
“We could not be happier with our choice to switch our fuel to liquid propane gas,” says John Groden, vice president of Colonial Airport Parking Inc. “We have been able to significantly lower our fuel and maintenance costs while reducing our carbon footprint. This initiative is having a positive impact on the environment, Pennsylvania and those who live here.”
PHL also recently announced a switch from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) for its shuttle bus services.
