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.

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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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Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Propane is Easier on Mechanics

Ohio Mechanics Fired Up Over Propane Engines

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

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

Purchase Cost Comparisons

Cost Comparisons

Purchase Cost Comparisons

Municipality Vehicles

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

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 Vehicles

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/Beverage Vehicles

Average Purchase Price

Average Maintenance Cost

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 Vehicles

Average Purchase Price

Average Maintenance Cost

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:

Police/EMT Vehicles

Average Purchase Price

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:

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

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