Propane as an Alternative Fuel to Gasoline or Diesel
Alternative fuels are non-conventional materials or substances used to power vehicles or other engines. These do not include gasoline or diesel. According to the EPA, they are can be gaseous fuels like hydrogen, natural gas, and propane or derived from alcohols, vegetable oils or waste. Propane, specifically, is a byproduct of natural gas refining, although some can be produced in crude oil refining. Fleet owners and operators choose propane Autogas as their alternative fuel of choice because it’s cleaner for the environment, there is no sacrificing power or torque, it’s abundantly available, and it’s affordable.
Applications for Propane Autogas Vehicles
Like other applications for propane, using propane autogas to fuel your fleet of school buses, shuttles, vans, or delivery trucks is better for the environment and your bottom line. Propane as an auto fuel will give you the lowest total cost of ownership compared to all alternative fuels – even electricity! Delta Liquid Energy provides propane Autogas to fleets and private customers through our publicly accessible network of refueling stations. All Delta Liquid Energy autogas customers have access to public refueling stations 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
When you work with Delta Liquid Energy as a propane autogas provider, we assist you in determining the right size infrastructure for your fleet and our certified technicians have the knowledge to assist you in any propane equipment scenario that may arise. We take pride in the service we provide to our customers and our staff is continually up to date on all emerging propane technologies – including propane autogas. In addition, at Delta Liquid Energy we practice what we preach. Approximately 50% of our own fleet of propane delivery vehicles and service vehicles run on propane autogas. Using propane autogas to power our own fleet allows us to better serve all our customers in a timely, cost-effective way.
School Buses
Currently, propane as an auto fuel is most popular in school bus applications. Why? Because propane Autogas gives school districts the opportunity to save money and reestablish funding to where it’s needed most – in the classroom. When school districts choose to switch from diesel buses to models powered by propane they see a reduction in their emissions by up to 80%. Propane-powered school buses are quiet, require less maintenance than gasoline or diesel-powered models, and districts typically see a lower fuel price when compared to traditional fuels.
The push for an all-electric vehicle future is not lost on school districts and the school bus industry. It’s important to remember, however, that although there are no emissions coming directly out of the tailpipe of an electric school bus, they’re not without their emissions. Where exactly did the electricity to power that school bus come from? Likely, from a coal power plant outside of California. When this electricity generated far from the ‘plug’ travels to its final destination, it’s estimated that 30% of it is lost. This means 30% more electricity must be produced! Propane is an abundant natural resource that is readily available and sits in a propane tank right in your school bus yard. Comparing full-fuel life cycles are important when considering alternatives to diesel or gasoline.
Our children riding these buses are precious cargo, using propane will get them to and from school safely, in a cleaner atmosphere, and for the lowest cost to the school district.
Medium Duty Fleet Vehicles
Medium duty fleet vehicles powered by propane get the job done! Whether your fleet chooses to purchase propane-powered vehicles straight from the manufacturer or have current vehicles converted to propane, there are options for all types of fleets. Shuttle vans, box trucks, delivery vehicles, and more all have the ability to run on propane autogas. Propane autogas is cleaner than gasoline and diesel and has a low total cost of ownership. As an added bonus, fleet vehicles don’t sacrifice any horsepower or torque when powered by propane autogas. The vehicles run very similarly to those powered by traditional fuels so drivers will notice little to no difference.
At Delta Liquid Energy, we take advantage of the abundance of propane in this country by running our own propane delivery trucks on this fuel! Over half of our own fleet uses propane as the primary fuel.
Landscape Equipment
For commercial landscape companies and golf courses, propane is the right choice for cutting expenses and your carbon footprint. The cost to operate a propane powered commercial mower is lower because fuel costs are typically less than traditional fuels, the closed loop system eliminates the worry of spillage or fuel theft, and Delta Liquid Energy can help with convenient on-site or localized refueling. Depending on the size of your fleet, we can install propane refueling infrastructure on your property, saving time and money by eliminating the need to take your propane cylinders to a gas station. Also, your greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen oxide emissions can be significantly reduced when powering your landscape equipment with propane versus a traditional fuel.
Propane Autogas Dispensing Equipment
Depending on the size of your fleet of vehicles, having your own propane Autogas dispensing equipment may be the right choice. If this is the case, we will customize your equipment size to fit your fleet. Our service technicians are fully trained in the construction of our propane Autogas dispensing locations and will handle all permitting. Often, the construction of these stations will come at no upfront cost to you. Contracts for private propane Autogas infrastructure are a requirement and will always be mutually agreeable.
Alternatively, Delta Liquid Energy also hosts a network of public refueling sites throughout California. This network is intentionally thought out so that stations are near enough for you to maintain an adequate fuel supply in your vehicles.
Although refueling a propane Autogas fleet vehicle is very similar to refueling a personal vehicle with gasoline, safety precautions and training sessions are required for all personnel using a propane Autogas dispenser. Fortunately, this training is straightforward and simple for your fleet’s drivers and Delta Liquid Energy’s service technicians will take you through it thoroughly, answering any questions you or your fleet drivers may have.
Similar to other applications for propane, there are funding opportunities available to offset the cost of implementing a switch to propane Autogas for your fleet. Contact your local Delta Liquid Energy office to learn more about what is currently available. Funding opportunities can range from a few hundred dollars to covering the full cost of implementation.
Delta Liquid Energy customers incur an annual cost for service. This service agreement fee encompasses Delta Liquid Energy’s willingness and ability to provide propane to your home or business safely as well as maintenance of your account with DLE. Along with this, your service agreement fee also includes:
- Regular route scheduled deliveries. This service provides Delta Liquid Energy customers with the convenience of rarely having to check their propane tank. It is our responsibility as your propane provider to make sure you do not run out of propane.
- Accessibility to Delta Liquid Energy’s service and parts department. We strive to assure all of our Delta Liquid Energy locations carry an inventory of parts and accessories to meet the propane needs of our
customers. We have skillfully trained, professional service technicians available for all types of
propane appliance installation, service, and repairs.
- 24-hour emergency call response. We encourage customers to feel free to contact their local Delta Liquid Energy office any time there is a problem with their propane gas system. Safety is a top priority!
- Professional, dependable, and courteous service. Our propane delivery drivers and service
technicians have successfully completed specialized training provided by the National Propane
Gas Association. This ensures that our customers and their homes are in the hands of knowledgeable, safety-minded personnel.
- Online or over the phone bill pay. Every Delta Liquid Energy customer is set up with an online
account where you can see your recent purchases and find out what your current balance is. Conveniently, you can also pay for your propane deliveries right within our online portal. Alternatively, you may always call your local customer service representative and they will happily process your payment over the phone. We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express for all your online or over the phone propane purchases.
