Submitted by carneyb1 on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 22:51

 

 

 

 

A Natural Fit for a Propane Company

 

Company: Kamps Propane, Inc.
Industry: Propane Distributor
Location: Manteca, California
Vehicles: 
  • 2010 Ford F-250 trucks (25)
Fueling:  11 proprietary propane autogas fueling stations throughout California
Challenge: To find an available propane autogas conversion system certified by the strict emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
By The Numbers:
  • 85,000 fewer gallons of gasoline burned by switching to propane autogas
  • $1.50 to $1.75 per gallon cost savings for propane autogas.
  • $150,000 / year in fuel savings, including a $.50 per gallon tax credit. 
  • 1.56 million pounds of carbon dioxide eliminated from Kamps Propane's total carbon footprint each year for the entire fleet, or 62,255 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, per vehicle.

Kamps Propane maintains a long history of running Ford trucks in their company’s fleet. When the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system for light- and medium-duty trucks was developed, Terry Ayres, vice president of Kamps Propane, knew that these vehicles were the natural choice for their propane distribution company. 

Based in Manteca, California, Kamps Propane is leading the charge in their industry with the largest fleet of ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas vehicles in operation in California. In business since 1969, Kamps Propane services the northern California markets around Fresno, San Francisco, Sacramento and the surrounding communities. Throughout their history, Kamps Propane has used propane autogas vehicles in their fleet as reliable vehicles became available. When the ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 was certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB), Kamps Propane knew that they had found their alternative-fuel solution and purchased 25 trucks to add to their service fleet.

“We’ve been buying Ford all along, pretty much since our company was founded,” Ayres said. “ROUSH CleanTech has the only propane conversion kit that is certified for the state so it was an easy and natural fit because of our company’s preference for Ford products.”

The ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 trucks feature in-bed fuel tanks. Kamps Propane selected this configuration because of its large fuel capacity, with a 55-gallon usable capacity. Each vehicle also delivers the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as its gasoline-fueled counterparts.

Clearing the Air

Kamps Propane vehicles are driven an average of 25,000 to 30,000 miles per year using approximately 85,000 gallons of gasoline fuel. The lifetime of each vehicle is estimated to be 150,000 miles. By switching to propane autogas, the company has decreased its carbon footprint, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 62,255 pounds per vehicle. This results in Kamps Propane emitting over 1.56 million fewer pounds of CO2 each year for their entire fleet of ROUSH CleanTech trucks.

Besides carbon dioxide reduction, propane autogas offers many other types of environmental advantages for the company. The fuel burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline. It is the third most widely used fuel worldwide, following gasoline and diesel. Propane also plays a strong role in lowering the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, as 90 percent of the propane used today comes from domestic production sources.

Realizing the Benefits

For a propane distributor, running a propane autogas fleet makes both logistical and economic sense. “We see savings of $1.50 to $1.70 per gallon based on the current pump prices and our distributor pricing on propane,” Ayres said. “It makes a lot of sense for us in the propane business to run our vehicles on the fuel we sell, and with and the $.50 / gallon tax credit on the fuel, it makes a lot of sense for the end user as well.”

With 11 Kamps Propane retail locations throughout California, refueling stations are convenient and readily available for the managers and service technicians who drive the trucks daily. These stations, which were already in place due to previous propane autogas use, are the same sites that Kamps Propane drivers use to refill propane cylinders. “In addition to the $150,000 in fuel savings this past year, our drivers have saved additional time by filling at the company dispenser rather than at a gas station,” Ayres said.

Along with the cost savings, Kamps Propane recognizes the clean-burning effects of propane autogas. “Of course the obvious benefit to Kamps Propane is the cost of the fuel, but there is also the benefit of the longevity of the clean-running engine,” Ayres said. Although Kamps Propane does adhere to Ford’s recommended oil change schedule, Ayres has found that the intervals can be extended substantially because of how clean the oil is after it’s changed.

Taking Propane Beyond the Backyard Barbecue

By committing to a fleet of propane autogas trucks, Kamps Propane has the opportunity to show their customers that they stand behind their product and are committed to its growth in the world of alternative fuel vehicles.

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Testimonial