Alliance AutoGas aids healthcare system with autogas transition

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System chose to convert cutaway (wheelchair-equipped buses) and courier vehicles first. Photo courtesy of Alliance AutoGas

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) is finding success with propane autogas.

SRHS, which is designated as a general mass transit provider, began looking for an alternative fuel option for its fleets in 2013 to help its region meet South Carolina emissions criteria.

“The hospital had, from the president down, been looking at several different emissions reducing programs for our fleets, and autogas came out as the fuel of choice,” says Jimmy Riley, director of transportation services for SRHS.

SRHS started working with Alliance AutoGas (AAG) in March 2013, when the hospital chose to convert cutaway (wheelchair-equipped buses) and courier vehicles.

AAG says company technicians performed the conversions on-site in one bay of the hospital’s existing garage, and trained SRHS fleet technicians to perform any future maintenance. AAG also installed the necessary tanks and fueling infrastructure in 2014 so that the fleet was operational. On-site refueling includes large capacity fuel storage tanks equipped with a pump, meter and one or more dispensers.

One bonus of SRHS using an alternative fuel for its vehicles, AAG says, is that autogas and the refueling process are independent of electricity. This system allows SRHS to have an alternative fuel supply in the event of a disaster. In 2018, the hospital fleet provided emergency transport during Hurricane Florence.

“Autogas is a very reliable fuel,” Riley says. “We have never had a vehicle breakdown as a result of using this fuel, which is important considering our success as a fleet system depends on reliably and efficiently transporting people to medical and other services they need.”

AAG partners are looking forward to seeing more healthcare systems follow the example set by SRHS.

“SRHS has an outstanding team that is committed to serving the community of Spartanburg and the surrounding area,” says Happy Fox, alternative fuel consultant for AAG. “The staff at SRHS is great to work with in regards to their autogas program. Our autogas program secures a source of fuel for their fleet during times of emergencies. SRHS has traveled in other parts of South Carolina to provide transit service to those needing to be transferred away from the areas affected by an emergency.”

SRHS says it plans to convert each new vehicle acquired.

“It’s a win-win for us due to reduced emissions coupled with financial savings and on-site fueling convenience,” Riley says.