FOOD AND BEVERAGE
“Based on the proposed project, [propane autogas] appears to be a viable solution to improve our cost per mile, as well as reduce our environmental footprint.” - Joe Gold, fleet asset and engineering manager of Frito-Lay North America.
“The delivery vehicles we will be retrofitting for Marquez & Marquez Foods travel in excess of 200,000 miles in their lifetime. By switching to propane autogas, Marquez is not only reducing the amount of foreign oil the company consumes, but they are doing their part to clean the air in the neighborhoods they service — all without compromising vehicle performance.” - Ray Alvarado, president and owner of AvcoGas Propane Sales and Service.
Moving Product While Saving Money and the Environment
Statewide initiatives urge every business sector to look for ways to reduce its carbon footprint. For the food and beverage delivery industry, this means switching to clean-burning fuels like propane autogas to reduce emissions and meet these new standards. Food and beverage delivery fleets need reliable vehicles that significantly reduce emissions without compromising vehicle performance. ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas fueled trucks and vans impart ‘green’ power at peak-performance with no loss in torque, horsepower or towing capacity. Additionally, ROUSH CleanTech fuel systems add little to no extra weight, which avoids infringing on precious cargo or passenger space.
A particular benefit of ROUSH CleanTech’s relationship with Ford Motor Company is the security of Ford’s comprehensive warranty program that comes intact with each ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas system sold. Additionally, companies already utilizing propane for other applications, such as in-warehouse propane forklifts, are finding the move to propane power to be an effortless and natural shift as a safe and reliable fuel source.
Since 1939, snack food giant Frito-Lay has deliberately taken innovative steps toward protecting the planet. From reusing and recycling shipping cartons to reducing energy and water usage, the company has received numerous awards for their environmental efforts. However, in 2007, one-third of Frito-Lay’s greenhouse gas emissions came from their delivery fleet. Their goal to be a leader in sustainability and natural resource protection led Frito-Lay to ROUSH CleanTech’s doorstep in 2010.
Headquartered in Dallas, Frito-Lay is situated in a state cracking down on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. ROUSH CleanTech’s design for a liquid propane autogas Ford E-350 dual rear wheel cutaway chassis was ready to answer the call for help. This fleet vehicle, designed specifically for Frito-Lay, is estimated to provide significant emissions reductions for two of the six criteria pollutants regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Ford E-350 DRW cutaway will be based on the Ford 5.4-liter, dual-valve V8 engine and planned for first quarter 2011 production.
ROUSH CleanTech’s autogas propane delivery models are not only lean on emissions, but easy on the wallet as well. Over a 200,000-mile vehicle life, the propane autogas fuel system can save the typical owner / operator up to $30,000 in fuel cost reductions, not to mention maintenance reductions. You can visit our Savings Calculator to see what types of savings your fleet would experience.
ROUSH CleanTech fills a noticeable gap in fleet vehicle choices for delivery companies looking to proactively take meaningful steps to a healthier planet. Frito Lay alone has the potential to convert up to 2,000 gasoline-powered vehicles to propane autogas in the United States. This model will be available for fleets across the nation to implement.
Also feeling the pinch of increased government regulations on air quality, Marquez & Marquez Foods, a manufacturer and deliverer of corn chips and snacks located in California, switched to propane autogas in 2011. Spurred by ROUSH CleanTech’s California Air Resource Board (CARB) certification approval, Marquez is now transporting their goods using ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas Ford E-450 cutaway vans. The propane-autogas fuel system has received certification by both the EPA and CARB for sale in all 50 states, making this product the highest in environmental quality standards.
AvcoGas Propane Sales and Service, a ROUSH CleanTech-certified propane autogas conversion center based in Southern California, retrofitted the company’s 25 delivery vehicles. AvcoGas president and owner Ray Alvarado cites that these delivery vehicles will not only reduce the amount of foreign oil that Marquez would consume, but that Marquez is also doing their part to clean the air in the neighborhoods they service without compromising vehicle performance.
Other food and beverage companies are in the early stages of testing ROUSH CleanTech’s Ford E-Series vans, the Ford F-450, and the newest and toughest offering yet, the Ford F-550 truck.
Environmental Impact
Based upon an average annual mileage of 20,000 miles for vehicles in the delivery and service industries, and an average fuel economy of 10.5 miles per gallon for a comparable gasoline vehicle, each ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas Ford E-350 vehicle is expected to displace almost 1,667 gallons of gasoline per year. Annually, a fleet of 1,225 vehicles would displace 2 million gallons of gasoline each year and 20 million gallons over a 10-year lifetime.
Marquez & Marquez Foods’ fleet of 25 ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas Ford E-450s will displace more than 550,000 gallons of gasoline and more than 2.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the life of the vans. To estimate a fleet’s cost and pollutant savings with propane autogas, visit ROUSH CleanTech’s online savings calculator.
Fueling Options
Fueling with propane autogas, which is an extremely portable fuel, is easy and convenient. On-site fueling stations can be installed for little to no cost. And with thousands of propane autogas fueling stations across the United States, propane is readily available.
Incentives
To find out about federal or state tax incentives, check out our Incentives page for credits and programs available to save you money when considering the switch to propane autogas.
Benefits
Environmental:
- Up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide
- Up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide
- 17-24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- Fewer particulate emissions
- EPA- and CARB-certified
Vehicle:
- No loss in engine performance
- Little to no additional weight to the vehicle
- Comparable driving range between fill-ups
- Maintained vehicle warranty
- No additional scheduled services
- Lower fuel costs by up to 40 percent
- Reduced operating and maintenance costs
Products
Explore our recommended ROUSH CleanTech vehicles and conversion systems for your fleet’s requirements.
For more information on how ROUSH CleanTech serves the food and beverage industry, please contact us at 800.59ROUSH.
