The government fleet in Spotsylvania County, Va., recently worked with Alliance AutoGas to convert 20 sheriff's cruisers and four school district trucks to run on propane autogas.
Alliance AutoGas used the bi-fuel Prins VSI system to convert the 20 Ford Crown Victorias, two Chevrolet 2500s, one Ford E-250 and one GMC 2500. The project was supported by the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program.
Additionally, Alliance AutoGas founding partner Blossman Gas installed a 500-gallon autogas fueling station in Spotsylvania County, and the company is also the propane supplier. The county school system has a 10,000-gallon autogas tank at its vehicle service center, which accommodates the refueling of five Blue Bird school buses that run exclusively on propane.
Spotsylvania County officials say they are saving $1.88 per gallon on propane compared to gasoline. The county will save approximately $70,000 in fuel costs annually by running the 24 vehicles on autogas.
Craig Greenlaw, director of fleet services for Spotsylvania County, says the return-on-investment time for the parts and labor of additional autogas conversions is between two and two and a half years.
‘I would tell any fleet interested in transitioning its fleet from gasoline, if you want a proven technology that reduces emissions and fuel costs, then propane autogas will be a great fuel for you,’ he adds.
