Vehicles  that run on propane autogas are cleaner, more efficient, and are  comparable in performance to diesel and gasoline powered counterparts.  These benefits coupled with so many others show us that these vehicles  are a great choice for fleets. How much basic knowledge do you have  about propane autogas vehicles and this fuel that allows them to  maintain the torque and horsepower of conventionally fueled vehicles?

Propane Autogas is SAFE

For over 80 years, propane autogas has been used to power  vehicles. Although the ARRO Autogas brand was established in 2008, our  parent company, Delta Liquid Energy, had been using this fuel to power  vehicles since the mid 1950’s. Just like other fuels, propane autogas is  required by federal and state laws to comply with safety and emission  standards. Agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) all regulate the safe use of our fuel. Also, propane autogas vehicles aren’t short on safety features:

• Each autogas fuel system is equipped with an emergency  shut off valve that will automatically stop the flow of propane should  the fuel line rupture unexpectedly.

• Propane autogas doesn’t ignite until it reaches a  temperature of 920 degrees Fahrenheit whereas gasoline and diesel will  ignite at 495 and 410 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. 

• If propane autogas leaks, it is no longer under pressure  and will therefore turn into a vapor. When this happens it will  dissipate into the air without harming the environment.

• Propane autogas is odorized and can be detected if there is a leak.

Propane Autogas Fuel Tanks are STRONG

The tanks that house this fuel are made of puncture  resistant steel, making them much stronger than tanks for other fuels.  These tanks are built to specifically withstand over-the-road  conditions, pressure, and inclement weather. Propane autogas tanks also  come standard with overfill protection devices, emergency shut off  valves, and pressure relief valves.

Refueling Propane Autogas Vehicles is CONVENIENT

Refueling with propane autogas is similar to refueling your  personal vehicle with gasoline. Propane autogas refueling stations are  located throughout the country and the equipment used to refuel looks  and feels like a gasoline or diesel pump. The Alternative Fuels Data Center lists  the over 2,500 stations across the country. With so many places to  refuel it’s easy to power your fleets across the U.S. Pressure relief  valves and overfill protection devices can also be found at the propane  pump – these will allow propane to maintain its liquid state and will  keep your tank from becoming too full.

Propane Autogas is AFFORDABLE

Not only does powering with propane eliminate the need for  additional fluids and filters, the price per gallon of propane is often  lower than that of diesel and gasoline. The current price for propane  with ARRO Autogas is $2.17 per gallon. In California, the current average price for a gallon of gasoline in  most major cities is $3.50 and expected to rise to over $4.00  statewide. Nationally, the average price per gallon is $2.81 – still  considerably higher than propane especially when thinking about running  numerous fleet vehicles. For diesel,  the Energy Information Administration reported a national average of  $3.00 per gallon for the fuel at the beginning of this summer. 

Information sourced from the Propane Education and Research Council