Alabama roadshow highlights advantages of clean propane autogas vehicle technology
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – June 21, 2012 – The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program’s Propane Autogas Roadshow Series made a stop in Alabama today to educate the community about clean, American-made autogas technology. Hosted by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition at the Vestavia Hills Lodge, this is the last event in the roadshow series this summer.
Administered by Virginia Clean Cities, the Program is helping Southeastern U.S. fleets switch to clean, domestically produced autogas. Alabama fleets participating in the Program include Lee County, Lewis Pest Control and the City of Vestavia Hills, which recently converted 14 police cruisers to autogas.
“This free event gives us an opportunity to showcase to the public the many advantages of using propane autogas as a clean and economical alternative for fueling vehicles,” said Mark Bentley, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director. “The purpose of the roadshow series is to provide fleet operators – and anyone else interested – hands-on experience with propane vehicles.”
The Alabama Propane Autogas Roadshow gave fleet operators, government officials and community members the opportunity to test-drive propane autogas vehicles and learn the benefits of autogas directly from industry experts. Vestavia Hills Mayor Roberto “Butch” Zaragoza kicked off the event by welcoming everyone to the city, and speakers included representatives from Alliance AutoGas, Metro Lawn, the Alabama Propane Gas Association, and the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. Several fleets presented their autogas success stories.
“Propane autogas is a domestically produced clean fuel that saves fleets money while also significantly reducing harmful emissions,” says Virginia Clean Cities Executive Director Alleyn Harned. “So far, Program fleets have eliminated 1,300 tons of greenhouse gases and displaced around more than 1 million gallons of gasoline. The roadshows have been a great way to share what local organizations are doing to make a difference by switching their gasoline vehicles to clean propane autogas.”
Fleets running on propane autogas currently save more than $1 per gallon on fuel compared to gasoline, and many report reduced maintenance needs because autogas is cleaner burning. Autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world, and 98 percent of the U.S. supply is made in America. Because propane autogas vehicle conversions and fueling station installations have relatively low upfront costs, autogas is a financially viable alternative fuel option for fleets on a budget.
The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, a non-profit membership-based organization, is the state’s principal coordinating point for alternative fuels and a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. Visit www.AlabamaCleanFuels.org.
About The Program
The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout 10 states in the Southeast U.S., Denver and Pittsburgh. Over its four-year span, the Program will put nearly 1,200 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 30 autogas fueling stations. Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and VCC at James Madison University. Alliance AutoGas provides autogas fueling infrastructure and conversion equipment for Program fleets, with co-founding partner Blossman Gas supplying fuel. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.
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