Setting Your Alt Fuel Goals for the New Year
With the changing of the calendar comes a blank slate for companies to fine-tune their alt fuel transportation goals. One such energy source underutilized in the transportation industry is propane. It’s an energy source that is readily available to fuel vehicles now.
For instance, across America, transit agencies and school districts are two markets making the move to clean-burning, emissions-reducing vehicles fueled by propane autogas. Nearly 850 shuttles equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems operate in the transit industry. Over 30 transit agencies across the nation operate these vehicles. More than 8,500 Blue Bird propane-fueled school buses run in over 650 school districts.
Propane autogas is a safe, domestically produced fuel with a robust infrastructure. More than 90 percent of the United States propane autogas supply is produced domestically, with an additional 7 percent from Canada. Almost 75 percent of propane used in the U.S. comes from natural gas refining, and the remaining comes from petroleum during the refining process.
Our country has a surplus of propane that’s exported. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. propane exports climbed — from 562,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2015 to 793,000 barrels per day in that same period of 2016. The numbers prove there’s plenty of room to increase propane-powered vehicles on the roads.
Also with the new year comes a new administration. President-Elect Trump is focused on keeping jobs and energy usage here in North America. Using American-made propane autogas helps the nation’s energy security goals, creates jobs, and reduces the nation’s dependence on imported oil.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects diesel prices to increase almost 40 cents this year. Make sure to include an evaluation of alternative fuels as you set your organization’s goals.
For more information on the environmental and economic benefits of propane autogas, or to learn more about ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas fuel system technology, please visit www.roushcleantech.com.