Blue & Yellow Goes Green

SuperShuttle, a recognized name in the airport ground transportation business, is turning their trademark blue and yellow vans to ‘green’ with the help of ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas Ford E-series passenger vans. Propane autogas, the most widely used alternative fuel and the world’s third most common engine fuel, produces 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline. 

Finding Relief and Profits with Propane Autogas

At a time when gas prices are among the highest in history, SuperShuttle has found significant savings with propane autogas. “The switch to propane autogas technology was a smart thing to do,” says Ken Brooks, national purchasing manager for SuperShuttle. “We are seeing tremendous fuel savings right now. Gas prices in Arizona are averaging $3.65 per gallon [in mid-April 2011]. Our drivers who are using public propane refueling infrastructure around Phoenix are paying $2.20 per gallon.

“Our franchisees use about 200 gallons of fuel each week, and travel up to 600,000 miles over the lifetime of their vehicle. By making the switch to propane autogas, our drivers are not only saving money and lowering our dependence on foreign oil, but reducing carbon emissions by the ton, and this is something they can feel good about,” said Brooks. 

From an operating cost standpoint, propane autogas currently provides each SuperShuttle owner / operator an average savings of $280 per week in fuel costs, or $14,500 per year.

From an emissions and environmental impact standpoint, each van is emitting around 300,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by operating on propane autogas instead of gasoline over the 600,000-mile / 5-year lifecycle. For the 35 propane autogas powered vehicles in operation today, that’s more than 10,500,000 lbs of CO2 that won’t be released into the air in Phoenix over the next five years.

Reputation and Trust - Making the Switch

Founded more than 25 years ago, SuperShuttle was established on the principal of providing reliable and friendly door-to-door airport service. With the added desire to be a good steward for the environment, SuperShuttle recycles tires and automotive fluids, and also fuels their vans with other alternative fuels.

“We have used compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane in the past, but as it became more difficult to purchase CNG conversions, we realized that we needed another option for clean alternative fuel,” shared Brooks. “Our relationship with ROUSH CleanTech started a few years ago when I was working with some fellows from Ferrellgas in Phoenix, examining another propane conversion kit supplier. I heard ROUSH was looking at getting into the propane business.  I respected their reputation for performance, so I worked with the guys from Ferrellgas to share our spec van conversion with them. We’ve been working with ROUSH CleanTech ever since.”

Brooks adds that the warranty and reputation that comes with each ROUSH CleanTech vehicle was the primary reason SuperShuttle forged the partnership. 

Moving Green Forward

To make it even easier and more profitable for their franchise owners, SuperShuttle has installed a 2,000-gallon propane autogas fueling station, centrally located for all drivers to use. Currently, Brooks says there is sufficient and convenient fueling infrastructure in and around Phoenix for easy re-fueling. However, the on-site, company-owned tank provides an even lower cost per gallon for fuel, further increasing owner/operators’ bottom line. “We are working with Ferrellgas to construct an even larger 18,000-gallon onsite fueling center that we anticipate will lower our drivers’ fuel costs even further ” Brooks said.

The company anticipates adding more vans fueled by propane autogas to other airport markets in the future, including in California. ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas vans and shuttles gained California Air Resource Board (CARB) certification in early 2011.

“CARB certification is that final nod of approval needed to launch a guaranteed top-quality line of passenger and cargo vans to fleet managers across America, who are eagerly awaiting the availability of cost-effective, ecologically sound, large-capacity vehicles with less than ten pounds of added weight,” states Joe Thompson, president of ROUSH CleanTech.

With more than 20,000 passengers each day choosing SuperShuttle’s 1,400 vans at 34 airports all across the country, this ROUSH CleanTech customer is moving propane autogas from niche markets to mainstream. SuperShuttle, a leader in reliable and economical service for their loyal customers, won a Propane Hero award at the Green Fleet Expo in San Diego in 2010. Brooks is looking forward to SuperShuttle creating a large marketing push centered on their use of this domestically produced, eco-conscious fuel.