Mechanics - Ohio Autogas

Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Converting your fleet to propane leaves engines cleaner and require less fuels, fluids and filters. Watch the testimonials from Ohio Mechanics below to see why they love propane.

Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Converting your fleet to propane leaves engines cleaner and require less fuels, fluids and filters. Watch the testimonials from Ohio Mechanics below to see why they love propane.

More Ohio fleets are making the switch to propane. The OPGA is here to help make your transition easy with a $4,000 rebate per vehicle or lawnmower, up to $20,000!

Ohio Mechanics Fired Up Over Propane Engines

Propane car and truck fleet mechanics have made these engines the dominant alternative fuel in America according to the EPA. Ohio mechanics have sized them up on cost per miles-driven, maintenance cost and cold and hot weather performance. Top management likes their minuscule carbon footprint.

605 N High St #214,
Columbus, OH 43215

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Micro Bird G5 School Bus

Technical Specs

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

Fuel Tank Options

Chevy/GMC	Ford
32 Gallons	40 Gallons

Average Purchase Price

$108,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.61/mile

Average ROI Time

1.4 years

Fuel and Maintenance savings

$3,700 per bus each year.

Annual Avg. GHG Emissions

20.75 short tons

Source: https://www.roushcleantech.com/micro-bird-product-page/

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Fuel Properties Comparison

	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.

Source: https://afdc.energy.gov/files/u/publication/fuel_comparison_chart.pdf

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Purchase Cost Comparisons

Fuel Type	School Buses
Propane	$108,000
Electric	$300,000
Diesel	$100,000
Diesel HEV	$160,000
CNG	$130,000
Gasoline

Source: https://afleet.es.anl.gov/afleet/

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Cost Comparisons

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

Source: https://propane.com/for-my-business/landscape-and-turf-management/mower-cost-calculator/

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Purchase Cost Comparisons

Fuel Type	Light Duty	School Buses	Paratransit	Single Unit Short-Haul Truck	Single Unit Long-Haul Truck
Propane	$50,000	$108,000	$0	$78,000	$89,000
Electric	$93,000	$300,000	$900,000	$150,000	$185,000
Diesel	$53,000	$100,000	$500,000	$70,000	$75,000
Gasoline	$42,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: https://afleet.es.anl.gov/afleet/

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Municipality Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Mini Bus, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.08/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.13/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.26/mile

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

2019 and newer Dodge Charger
2019 and newer Ford Explorer
Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include:

2019 and newer Ford F-150
2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
2019 and newer Ford F-350
2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-750

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Delivery Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.08/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.13/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.21/mile

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Class 4 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-750

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Paratransit Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Mini Bus, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Ambulances.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.10/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.16/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.26/mile

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-750

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Food/Beverage Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.08/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.13/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.21/mile

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average
ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

2019 and newer Dodge Charger
2019 and newer Ford Explorer
Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include:

2019 and newer Ford F-150
2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
2019 and newer Ford F-350
2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-750

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Service/Utility Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Transit Vans/Buses, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.06/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.18/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.24/mile

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average
ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

2019 and newer Dodge Charger
2019 and newer Ford Explorer
Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include:

2019 and newer Ford F-150
2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
2019 and newer Ford F-350
2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-750

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Police/EMT Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Sedans, Crossovers, Hatchbacks Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.

Average Cost Per Mile

Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.09/mile

Fuel Cost Per Mile: $0.10/mile

Total Cost Per Mile: $0.19/mile

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average
ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

2019 and newer Dodge Charger
2019 and newer Ford Explorer
Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include:

2019 and newer Ford F-150
2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
2019 and newer Ford F-350
2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

2019 Ford F-650

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

Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year

Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)

West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison

ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio

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Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Ohio Mechanics Fired Up Over Propane Engines

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

Average Purchase Price

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

Average Cost Per Mile

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:

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:

Service/Utility

Service/Utility Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

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: