In the Know

Propane Powered Fleet Vehicles

Propane Resources surveyed 414 retail propane marketers from across the United States asking them the following questions about their use of propane powered vehicles. We received responses from 79 companies. Here is what they had to say.

Outcomes:

Sixty-six percent of propane retailers utilize propane-powered vehicles as part of their fleet. When compared to the same question asked nearly two years ago in a similar survey, the number of propane-powered bobtails remains nearly the same. However, the number of other propane-powered vehicles has grown significantly. Retailers have expanded their use of propane-powered vehicles to include their managers’ vehicles, lawnmowers and company pickup trucks.

Forty-two percent of responding retailers say a qualified technician is available in their area to work on propane-powered vehicles. Forty-six percent of those retailers employ their own qualified technician(s). Another 46 percent take vehicles to a local garage with qualified technicians, while 8 percent have repairs done at the dealership where the vehicle was purchased.

A majority of retailers (69 percent) offer propane as a motor fuel. Compared to the previous survey, the percentage of retailers considering propane as a fuel choice when purchasing new bobtails has grown from 43 percent to 64 percent. The percentage of retailers considering diesel for future purchases dropped, 76 percent to 67 percent.

The survey shows that retailers are increasing the use (or at least considering the use) of propane to power their vehicles – company-owned as well as family-owned.

In The Know is presented as a partnership between LP Gas Magazine and Propane Resources.