LANCASTER, Wis. — Fleets across the state are doing their part to improve community air quality and save taxpayer dollars by running on an affordable American-made clean fuel: propane autogas. The Marinette Police Department, the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office, Midwest Roofing and Construction, and Tarmann Transport each expect to save thousands of dollars annually by running fleet vehicles on autogas, with the help of Lancaster-based Charter Fuels.
Charter Fuels has supplied residents and businesses across the state of Wisconsin with clean-burning, efficient propane since 1925. Since joining the international Alliance AutoGas network in 2011, Charter has helped fleets from Marinette to Dodgeville seamlessly switch vehicles to propane autogas, the most widely used alternative fuel in the world.
“Autogas which is both environmentally friendly and extremely cost-effective for fleets of any size,” says Doug Pink, president of Charter Fuels. “Many people aren’t aware that the propane they depend on for heating and cooking is also the most viable clean vehicle fuel on the market. And since 98 percent of the U.S. autogas supply is made right here in America, running on autogas means supporting our nation’s economy and securing our energy future.”
Propane autogas-powered fleets currently save around $1.50 or more per gallon on fuel versus gasoline; and because autogas is 30 percent cleaner than gasoline, autogas fleets also report reduced maintenance needs and increased engine life. Switching to autogas is also an attractive option for many fleets because it’s more affordable to convert vehicles to run on autogas and to install autogas fueling stations compared to other alternative fuels, like compressed natural gas.
“The natural gas lobby has done a good job of putting their technology at the forefront of public awareness and enlisting government support, but the fact remains that autogas vehicle conversions and infrastructure cost much less,” says Pink. “Natural gas fueling infrastructure costs millions of dollars per installation, while propane autogas stations can be deployed at a fraction of the cost – 15 or 20 autogas stations can be built for the cost of one natural gas station. They can also be built quickly and, in many cases, at no cost to the fleet operator. Autogas is more practical, period.”
Alliance AutoGas is an international network of propane autogas fuel providers and certified vehicle conversion centers providing a complete program to help fleets switch to autogas. As an Alliance partner, Charter Fuels facilitates everything Wisconsin fleets need to make the switch: vehicle conversions, fuel station installation, fuel supply, staff safety training and ongoing technical support.
About Charter Fuels
Family owned and operated for four generations, Charter Fuels has provided the communities it serves with reliable warmth, expert energy solutions and greater peace of mind for more than 87 years. It has branches servicing 46 counties across Wisconsin, upper Michigan, northern Illinois, eastern Iowa and eastern Minnesota. Active in the local community, Charter Fuels donates profits from its pink propane delivery truck in conjunction with the American Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Pink-Ribbon” campaign. Visit http://www.charterfuels.com for more information.
