Springfield Saves Using Propane Equipment
Springfield, Ohio, needed to cut costs throughout its city budget. This was because the state reduced funding to city governments in response to the 2008 recession. As a result, the city began using propane autogas vehicles in its fleets. Later, it added propane-powered commercial mowers. These changes significantly reduced fuel costs compared to gasoline and diesel.
Specifically, propane costs the city $0.30 less per gallon than diesel. It also saves $0.58 per gallon compared to gasoline. This is partly because the city buys in bulk from a local propane supplier. They use it to fill their 1,000-gallon storage tank.
“Some of our operators are fresh out of high school and have never used a commercial mower. For their first experience, propane is quick for them to pick up and our operators often end up preferring the propane mowers.”
Chris Moore, City of Springfield Service Director
To begin with, Springfield started using propane autogas in 2009. Over several years, it added nine propane autogas vehicles. After seeing impressive results with propane autogas, the city began incorporating propane-powered mowers into its forestry department in 2016.
Because of the city’s existing relationship with local propane suppliers, the transition to propane mowers was simple. This relationship was built during its earlier use of propane autogas. City crews now regularly use five propane-powered zero-turn radius mowers to maintain the city’s three public cemeteries, 320 vacant lots, and all right-of-ways.
“Overall, it runs just like a gasoline engine.”
James Willis, City of Springfield Forestry Supervisor
So much so that the forestry department now aims to convert all but the largest of its seven commercial mowers to the alternative fuel. For its veteran crews, the propane equipment operates similarly to gasoline mowers, and the reduced emissions are a point of pride. Notably, using propane mowers reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. It also cuts nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 19% and sulfur oxide (SOx) by 16%. Meanwhile, new crew members, even those using commercial mowers for the first time, quickly learn to operate and refuel the city’s propane mowers. In fact, they often prefer them over gasoline or diesel equipment.
The Ohio Propane Gas Association makes it easier to buy new propane vehicles or convert existing fleets to propane autogas by offering rebates. The OPGA is offering up to $5,000 per entity, $1,000 each for vehicles or mowers.
