Propane positioned to take advantage of new National Clean Fleets Partnership

As part of his larger goal to reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil and rely more on domestic fuel sources, President Barack Obama announced the National Clean Fleets Partnership, created to help large companies reduce diesel and gasoline use in their fleets.

The public-private partnership will work to incorporate electric vehicles, alternative fuels and fuel-saving measures into companies’ daily operations. And the propane industry and its manufacturing partners are well positioned to provide innovative technologies and vehicles fueled by propane autogas – the industry’s new term for motor fuel – to help the country achieve these goals.

“The propane industry applauds our nation’s leaders for bringing about new clean energy goals, and it stands ready to do more,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

“We have a wide variety of products out there that are squarely focused on fleet applications, and they fit in nicely with the administration’s national clean fleets program,” added Brian Feehan, vice president of engine fuel for PERC.

Light- and medium-duty trucks and vans fueled by propane autogas are available from a number of manufacturers, including Roush CleanTech for Ford Motor Co. commercial vehicles and General Motors commercial fleet products through a partnership with CleanFuel USA. Propane autogas already fuels vehicles in such fleets as Frito-Lay, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, Schwan’s, Red Top Cab and SuperShuttle.

Through the National Clean Fleets Partnership, the Department of Energy (DOE) will assist companies in their efforts to reduce fuel use and achieve greater efficiency and cost savings by offering specialized resources, technical expertise and support. The partnership is part of the DOE Vehicle Technology Program’s “Clean Cities” initiative.