PERC approves plan for propane utility vehicle
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), meeting in February by conference call, voted to invest $650,000 in the development of a new utility vehicle platform for the golf, resort, turf, commercial and industrial markets.
Club Car of Augusta, Ga., will create a propane-fueled version of its well-established utility vehicle. Golf courses and maintenance crews nationwide use Club Car utility vehicles in various configurations, including cargo, truck bed, food and beverage, and people-mover.
In other news, the council approved a plan to hire a staff engineer to support the growing number of engine-based projects in its research and development portfolio.
The council approved the following funding requests, with amount and principal contractor:
Research and development
■ $650,000 to Club Car for club car product development
■ $120,000 to Buck’s Engines for the development and EPA/CARB certification of an 8-liter engine for agricultural irrigation, pump and electrical generation applications. It would replace the Vortec 8.1-liter engine that General Motors has taken out of production.
Industry programs
■ $189,337 to the American Petroleum Institute (API) for the 2010 API Survey and Report, tracking total odorized propane sales by state from all propane retailers.
State rebates
■ $200,000 to the New England PERF for the 2011 CETP rebate program
There were 55 rebate requests totaling about $2.7 million. Fourteen rebate requests included requests for Partnership with States funds totaling $258,654.
The council will next meet on April 15 in Atlanta.