As propane supplier ThompsonGas sees more of their customers signing up for cleaner-burning vehicles fueled by propane, the Maryland-based company thought it best to follow suit.
ThompsonGas announced this week that it’s increased its fleet of 127 propane vehicles by adding 10 new 2022 Ford F-750 trucks equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane systems. The trucks replaced diesel models.
“Our customers operate vehicles fueled by propane autogas. We want to walk the walk and show our customers that we believe in propane and its technology, too,” said Monte McLeod, director of autogas at ThompsonGas. “Plus, running our own vehicles on propane saves money and supports our goal to be good stewards for the environment.”
[Related: Propane autogas embraced during record fuel price surge]
Autogas is a term used for propane that’s used to fuel vehicles. ThompsonGas has plans in place to add more autogas vehicles to its fleet each year. Those new trucks will be used to deliver propane to customers. Demand for the fuel “has increased greatly recently,” a spokesman for ThompsonGas said.
Propane autogas costs about 50% less per gallon than diesel and is known to have the lowest cost of ownership compared with all fuel types. ThompsonGas reports that propane vehicle cost per mile is 60% lower compared with its diesel-powered models.
Vehicles that run on propane autogas emit fewer greenhouse gases, smog-producing hydrocarbons, and particulate emission than conventional fuels. The Ford 7.3L V8 engine paired with ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system is certified to the low nitrogen oxide level of 0.05 g, making it 75% cleaner than the Environmental Protection Agency’s most stringent heavy-duty engine standard.
“ROUSH CleanTech continues investing in new technology development to provide sustainable propane vehicle options,” said Todd Mouw, executive vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “Propane’s low cost for fuel and maintenance makes adopting propane vehicles economically feasible for all fleet operators, especially propane suppliers.”
The 2022 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo in Nashville will showcase this growing propane vehicle technology. A new ThompsonGas bobtail truck will bedisplayed in ROUSH CleanTech’s booth at the event’s Autogas Pavilion from April 24 to 26. ThompsonGas will be discussing its new propane trucks during the session entitled, “Creating a Roadmap to Autogas Adoption,” on Monday, April 25 at 9 a.m.
