Marketer Spotlight

Hear from Mike DeBerdine how Rhoads Energy is driving industry autogas adoption.
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Understand Your Opportunities in the Propane Autogas Market

MARKET OVERVIEW

Propane autogas is the leading alternative fuel and third most popular motor fuel in the world—powering more than 26 million vehicles worldwide. The U.S. autogas market lags in acceptance however, with just under 60,000 vehicles. The U.S. market consumes 40 billion gallons of diesel each year for transportation. There is a sizable opportunity to reduce diesel consumption in the US by 50% today, without any additional production or distribution infrastructure.

Propane engine technology provides benefits for many fleets, especially in medium duty vehicles (MDV), including school bus applications. The industry reports indicate that sales of new propane vehicles increased 11% overall in 2022 thanks to a surge in demand for MD paratransit, municipal, and utility vehicles. Public funding program records indicate that many of these vehicles are serving fleets in the Central and Eastern U.S., where propane is widely available and the cost of switching to an even lower-or zero-emission fuel, such as electricity, remains out of reach. Propane remains a strong option for many school districts, particularly in rural and underfunded areas where federal funding can support propane bus purchases across the U.S.

There are opportunities in the light duty vehicle (LDV) market, which includes GVWR Classes 1-2, and have shown consistent growth. However, the biggest opportunity for propane is medium duty vehicles (MDVs). The MDV market for propane growth meets the range, payload, and torque requirements that these fleets need. No other zero-or near-zero energy option can match the economic and environmental benefits.

Take Action

Use these resources to grow your gallons in the propane autogas market.

KNOW THE FACTS

Propane Autogas for Industry Fleets: By using propane Autogas, instead of gasoline, in its passenger and class 3-5 vehicles, Blossman Gas realized cost savings of about $2,000 per vehicle. When comparing cost savings of operating class 7 vehicles with propane Autogas instead of diesel, the company reduced operating costs by about 25 percent.

Read more in the Blossman Case Study and then learn more about the options for your bottom line with the resources below:

Propane Autogas for Your Customers Fleets: The average total cost of ownership for fleets of medium- or heavy-duty propane Autogas vehicles, such as school buses and delivery trucks, is lower in most cases than the total cost of ownership for comparable electric vehicle fleets. According to a 2020 survey of fleet end users, 67% of respondents with propane Autogas vehicles reported total cost of ownership as equal to or better than diesel and gasoline vehicles, a higher percentage than users of natural gas and electric vehicles.

Use the Paratransit Data Search Tool to quantify your opportunity. Then help your customers know their options and calculate their savings possibilities:

Refueling Options: More than 3,000 propane fueling stations across the United States make propane readily available for refueling vehicles. Propane Autogas refueling stations can be installed in remote locations and operate on little to no electric power, while electric vehicle recharging stations require infrastructure to ensure continuous electric service.

SHARE THE STORY

Download this decal to add to any medium to large propane autogas vehicles to showcase that they are powered by propane! 

Share these resources with key decision makers both internally and externally to prove the power of propane autogas:

Share these infographics on social!

COMPLETE TRAINING

Know the Basics:
The Many Uses of Propane- Autogas

Learn More:
Proven Power for Your Bottom Line: Autogas Adoption

Train your Sales Team:
Autogas Sales Training Series

SERVICE CENTERS

Garages that want to service propane autogas vehicles garages won’t need extensive modifications to do so. Garages that want to service compressed natural gas vehicles may need to install new mechanical ventilation systems, modify ceiling electrical systems, and remove non-compliant heating equipment.

Use these resources to learn more about servicing propane autogas vehicles:

EXPLORE EQUIPMENT & PRODUCTS

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCENTIVES

You may be able to save more on the upfront purchase of a propane autogas vehicle by applying for federal and state incentives. (Incentives not available in every state.)

Contact the Business Development Lead:

Market of the Month Library: Autogas

Take some time to view our market videos and share the content and resources with your employees and potential customers. Together, we can expand the positive impact of propane on homeowners and businesses everywhere.

March 2024 - Autogas for Industry Fleets

If your company’s vehicle fleet is not running on propane autogas, it’s time to make the switch. By adopting autogas fleets and vehicles, we can set an example in our communities and build trust in propane as an environmentally friendly option.

December 2023 - Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program

PERC has been called to develop professional industry allied partners through world-class safety training and education. This work will help boost awareness of propane’s many uses and create more advocates for propane in their own careers.  To help enhance the allied partners in the automotive field, PERC is introducing a new propane Autogas grant program based on the newly created curriculum, Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection: Introduction for Automobile Service Technicians.

May 2023 - Autogas Fleets

There are currently more than 60,000 propane autogas vehicles operating in the US. While the school bus market gets most of the attention here, there are three other autogas segments that are growing in market share and could soon surpass student transportation – paratransit, food/beverage, and delivery fleets.

February 2023- Autogas Service Network

Successful autogas fleet programs have strong support and service systems. PERC now offers a nationwide map of over 500 dealers and facilities that service propane-powered vehicles. Learn about this service network and other resources available to begin growing your fleet today.

July 2022: Autogas School Bus

EPA’s Clean School Bus Program funding opportunity is now available, helping us grow the fleet of over 22,000 propane powered school buses already on the road in the United States. Learn how to work with propane school bus manufacturers to get these clean, cost-effective vehicles into your local school districts.

April 2022 — Autogas Funding Opportunities

Keeping up with available funding opportunities is hard work, especially since the notices can pop up quickly with short application windows. Now, you can sign up for PERC’s free, automated alerts that share when grants and other financial incentives are available to promote autogas within the states you service.

September 2021 - Paratransit

The paratransit market is poised to expand its autogas vehicles! Transit fleets operate in every state to provide door-to-door rides and other services for members of their communities. Vehicles include high-capacity vans and shuttle buses that average about 600 gallons of autogas per month per vehicle. Because of the long-range travel, autogas is the most popular alternative fuel used in the paratransit market. So far, more than 7,000 paratransit vehicles operate on autogas in every region of the country — and it's growing!
View the Entire Market of the Month Library
March 2024 - Autogas for Industry Fleets
December 2023 - Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program
May 2023 - Autogas Fleets
February 2023- Autogas Service Network
July 2022: Autogas School Bus
April 2022 — Autogas Funding Opportunities
September 2021 - Paratransit