GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Propane Autogas – A Hero in Ground Transport

Americans are constantly in motion. Business entrepreneurs, volunteers, students, and families are all in need of ground transportation service providers they can rely on to get them to their destinations — on time and at the right price. Whether using public transportation, hailing a cab, or carpooling to events, ground transportation companies pick people up, and now they can do it cleaner, greener, and cheaper.

Propane autogas vehicles are a smart choice for ground transportation companies that want to lower their operating costs. The cost of propane autogas is up to 40 percent lower than gasoline, and this clean-burning fuel lowers maintenance costs. These alternative fuel vehicles maintain the factory Ford warranty coverage, offer a comparable driving range to gasoline vehicles, make use of a domestic fuel source, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. And with little additional weight added to the vehicle, you can load up with passengers, luggage, and everything else you’ve become accustomed to both conveniently and economically.

Vehicle Options Available

The Micro Bird G5 Ford E-450 shuttle is an example of an eco-friendly transportation choice. Perfect for hotels, churches, private companies, and specialized public transit jobs needing room for up to 30 passengers, this ROUSH CleanTech powered vehicle utilizes the Ford 6.8-liter, V-10 engine powered by propane autogas.

Operators can keep their mind on the job at hand knowing the shuttle’s 42-gallon usable capacity tank gives plenty of range between fill ups, and comes standard with a fuel tank that is 20 times more puncture-resistant as the typical tank equipped on factory gasoline-fueled vehicles. All ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas powered Ford models are developed to maintain the same horsepower, torque, and towing capacity ratings as their gasoline-powered counterparts. That means that accelerating between stops, even at full capacity, will come as smooth and naturally as you'd expect out of a gasoline engine while saving money and reducing emissions.

For universities and organizations looking to move smaller groups of people in an economical, reliable, yet eco-friendly manner, ROUSH CleanTech offers the Ford E-series passenger vans with propane autogas technology. Equipped with 25-gallon fuel tanks, the Ford E-150, Ford E-250, and Ford E-350 offer superior driving range and maneuverability.

ROUSH CleanTech ground transportation options can also be modified through Ford Mobility to create handicap-accessible shuttles and vans. The Ford Mobility Motoring Program provides up to $1,200 of reimbursement toward the cost of installed adaptive equipment on any new Ford and up to $200 on aftermarket alert hearing devices, lumbar seats and running boards, when not available as factory options. More information about eligibility and adaptive devises available can be viewed at www.fordmobilitymotoring.com.

Propane Autogas Makes an Impact

To put the environmental impact of switching to propane autogas in perspective, by replacing 50 shuttles traveling 75,000 miles per year with ROUSH CleanTech vans, a company will be removing more than 1 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. To estimate a fleet’s cost and pollutant savings with propane autogas, visit ROUSH CleanTech’s online Savings Calculator.

Easy and Convenient Refueling

Ground transportation companies need to keep their vehicles running for a long time. The driving range for propane autogas vehicles is already comparable to gasoline-fueled models. By adding refueling infrastructure at an existing fueling site, ground transportation companies can create an effortless experience for drivers. Companies can choose from a traditional fuel pump, or a propane autogas refueling dispenser system outfitted with a 500-gallon tank mounted on a portable platform. The installation of such a site is easy and economical. Many propane suppliers will provide necessary equipment at no cost with a signed contract. Local and national government incentives are also available to create an even more favorable financial situation. Many companies use one of the thousands of propane autogas fueling stations across the United States that makes propane readily available.

Domestically produced propane autogas is already the most widely used alternative fuel on roads today in the United States, powering 270,000 vehicles. Worldwide, more than 15 million vehicles run on propane.

So whether you are up north in Alaska or down south in Florida, you can depend on propane autogas vehicles to start and operate consistently and reliably.

Incentives

To find out about federal or state tax incentives, click here to check out 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 to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• Fewer particulate emissions
• EPA- and CARB-certified

Vehicle:

• No loss in engine performance
• Very little additional weight to the vehicle
• Comparable driving range between fill-ups
• Maintains the factory 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 ground transportation requirements.

• Ford E-Series cutaway vans
• Ford E-Series vans