Propane: The Wave of the Future

Propane has played an essential role in America’s energy mix for more than a century. Its growing role in the future of propane autogas is what truly sets it apart from conventional fuels like gasoline, diesel, and electric.

The 1990 Clean Air Act lists propane as a clean fuel. Choosing propane over gasoline or fuel oil offers an economical and practical path to cleaner air. Using propane reduces the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

“A sustainable fuel that reduces your carbon footprint.”
Kelly Reagan, City of Columbus Fleet Administrator

America produces more than enough propane to meet demand. The U.S. is the leading producer of propane. As part of the future of propane autogas, this abundant bridge fuel serves as a clean-burning alternative to gasoline and diesel that can address energy challenges while long-term renewable technologies are developed.

Even with sharp declines in oil prices, U.S. producers expect propane output to grow rapidly, keeping propane prices lower than oil. This trend further strengthens the future of propane autogas as a reliable and affordable solution for clean transportation.

The OPGA is offering a $5,000 rebate to help propane customers make the transition to propane-powered vehicles and participate in an industry that provides clean, American, abundant, and affordable fuel to Ohio.

Chassis	7.3L Version	GVWR	0.05 NOx
E-350	Premium	10,050	N/A
E-350	Economy	10,050	N/A
Economy	E-450	14,000	N/A
Premium	E-450	14,200	Yes
E-450	Premium	14,500	Yes

	Propane	Gasoline	Diesel	Electric
Chemical Structure	C3H8 (majority) and C4H10 (minority)	C4 to C12 and Ethanol ≤ to 10%	C8 to C25	N/A
Fuel Material (feedstocks)	Fats and oils from sources such as soybeans, waste cooking oil, animal fats, and rapeseed	Crude Oil	Crude Oil	Natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar, and small percentages of geothermal and biomass
Gasoline or Diesel Gallon Equivalent (GGE or DGE)	1 gal = 0.74 GGE 1 gal = 0.66 DGE	1 gal = 1.00 GGE 1 gal = 0.88 DGE	1 gal = 1.12 GGE 1 gal = 1.00 DGE	1 kWh = 0.030 GGE 1 kWh = 0.027 DGE
Energy Comparison (GGE = Gasoline Gallon Equivalent)	gallon of propane has 73% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the lower energy density of propane.	1 gallon of gasoline has 97%–100% of the energy in 1 GGE. Standard fuel is 90% gasoline, 10% ethanol.	1 gallon of diesel has 113% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the higher energy density of diesel fuel.	A typical battery that is the same size as a gallon of gas (0.134 ft3), when used for transportation, can store 15.3% of the energy in 1 GGE. [6][7]
Energy Content (lower heating value)	84,250 Btu/gal (c)	112,114– 116,090 Btu/gal (c)	128,488 Btu/gal (c)	3,414 Btu/kWh
Energy Content (higher heating value)	91,420 Btu/gal (c)	120,388– 124,340 Btu/gal (c)	138,490 Btu/gal (c)	3,414 Btu/kWh
Physical State	Pressurized liquid (heavier than air as a gas)	Liquid	Liquid	Electricity
Cetane Number	N/A	N/A	40–55 (d)	N/A
Pump Octane Number	105 (g)	84–93 (f)	N/A	N/A
Flash Point	-100° to -150°F (j)	45°F (j)	165°F (j)	N/A
Autoignition Temperature	850° to 950°F (j)	495°F (j)	~600°F (j)	N/A
Maintenance Issues			Lubricity is improved over that of conventional low sulfur diesel fuel. For more maintenance information see, the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines—Fifth Edition. (d)
Energy Security Impacts	Approximately half of U.S. LPG is derived from oil, but no oil is imported specifically for LPG production.	Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l)	Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l)	Electricity is produced domestically from a wide range of sources, including through coal-fired power plants and renewable sources, making it a versatile fuel.

Fuel Type	School Buses
Propane	$140,000
Electric	$410,000
Diesel	$138,000
Diesel HEV	$160,000
CNG	$130,000
Gasoline	N/A

Fuel Type	Fleet Size	Total Hours Mowed/Year/Mower	Propane Mower Purchase Amount/Mower	Avg. Price/Gallon	Fuel Cost Per Hour of Mowing	Fuel Cost per 1 year	Fuel Cost per 3 year	Fuel Cost per 5 year
Propane	10	1,000	$10,500	$1.67	$22.71	$22,712	$68,136	$113,560
Diesel	10	1,000	$10,500	$4.26	$38.34	$38,340	$115,020	$191,700
Gasoline	10	1,000	$10,500	$3.61	$46.93	$46,930	$140,790	$234,650

Fuel Type	Light Duty	School Buses	Paratransit	Single Unit Short-Haul Truck	Single Unit Long-Haul Truck
Propane	$60,000	$140,000	$48,000	$104,000	$89,000
Electric	$93,000	$410,000	$93,000	$250,000	$185,000
Diesel	$63,000	$138,000	$53,000	$90,000	$75,000
Gasoline	$52,000	N/A	$42,000	$90,000	$75,000

Propane: The Wave of the Future

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Micro

Micro Bird G5 School Bus

Technical Specs

Fuel Tank Options

Average Purchase Price

Average Maintenance Cost

Average ROI Time

Fuel and Maintenance savings

Annual Avg. GHG Emissions

Type C

Blue Bird Type C School Bus

Fuel Tank Options

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Average Maintenance Cost

Average ROI Time

Fuel and Maintenance savings

Annual Avg. GHG Emissions

Fuel Properties Comparison

Fuel Properties Comparison

Bus Fuel Cost Comparison

Purchase Cost Comparisons

Mower Bus Fuel Cost Comparison

Cost Comparisons

General Price Cost Comparison

Purchase Cost Comparisons

Municipality

Municipality Vehicles

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EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 3 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

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Class 7 Vehicles

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Delivery Vehicles

Delivery Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Annual GHG Emissions

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Paratransit

Paratransit Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Annual GHG Emissions

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Food and Bev

Food/Beverage Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Average Purchase Price

Average ROI Time

Annual GHG Emissions

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 3 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Average
ROI Time

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Average
ROI Time

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Average
ROI Time

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include: