Propane autogas vehicle sales rise in 2016

Propane autogas vehicle sales increased by almost 8 percent in 2016 compared with 2015 sales figures, according to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Photo courtesy of PERC

Propane autogas vehicle sales increased by almost 8 percent in 2016 compared with 2015 sales figures, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) reports.

The more than 14,000 vehicles sold in 2016, comprising light-, medium-, and heavy-duty propane autogas trucks, constitutes the most vehicles sold in a single year since 2012, PERC says. In addition, over the past four years, the total number of propane autogas vehicles on the road has grown by more than 35 percent. As of 2016, there were nearly 200,000 propane autogas vehicles being used in U.S. private and public fleets, the council notes.

According to PERC, in 2016, about 67 percent of propane autogas vehicle sales were aftermarket conversions, compared with 33 percent for OEM-dedicated vehicles. Light-duty vehicles made up 62 percent of sales, while medium- and heavy-duty vehicles combined for 38 percent of sales.

“We’re thrilled to see so many new fleets take advantage of all propane autogas has to offer,” says Michael Taylor, director of autogas business development at PERC. “We don’t expect propane autogas sales to slow down in the future, especially as more fleet owners and managers experience the lower cost of ownership of the fuel compared to other options out there.”

PERC forecasts another 79,900 propane autogas vehicles will be added to U.S. roadways by 2020.