In 2014, Aaustin Express operated a fleet of 175 vehicles. Of those, the company converted 90 to propane autogas. Adam McCloe, Vice President of Operations for Aaustin Express, Inc. and…
Cleveland RTA now uses propane to power parts of its fleet—cutting fuel costs, lowering emissions, and contributing to a cleaner transit future in 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 |
| Chevy/GMC | Ford |
|---|---|
|
32 Gallons |
40 Gallons |
$140,000
This will close in 20 seconds
47 usable gallons
67 usable gallons
93 usable gallons
$140,000
This will close in 20 seconds
| 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. |
This will close in 0 seconds
| Fuel Type | School Buses |
|---|---|
|
Propane |
$140,000 |
|
Electric |
$410,000 |
|
Diesel |
$138,000 |
|
Diesel HEV |
$160,000 |
|
CNG |
$130,000 |
|
Gasoline |
N/A |
This will close in 0 seconds
| 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 |
This will close in 0 seconds
| 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 |
This will close in 0 seconds
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.
143 short tons
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:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
This will close in 0 seconds
Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.
143 short tons
This will close in 0 seconds
Example Vehicles:
Mini Bus, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Ambulances.
143 short tons
This will close in 0 seconds
Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
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:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
This will close in 0 seconds
Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Transit Vans/Buses, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
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:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
This will close in 0 seconds
Example Vehicles:
Sedans, Crossovers, Hatchbacks Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
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:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
This will close in 0 seconds
This will close in 20 seconds