Propane autogas is widely recognized for reducing emissions in public and private fleets. But the fuel is providing substantial lifetime savings for transportation directors charged with finding ways to reduce their fleet’s total cost-of-ownership. Reducing fleet costs is a constant, never-ending struggle for all fleet managers and the biggest challenge in cost management is controlling unexpected expenses. With the rapid changes in today’s engine and emissions technologies, acquisition, maintenance and repair costs are unpredictable and escalating. One technique that has proven to aid transportation professionals in identifying “hidden” or unexpected expenses during the due diligence process is the 3F analysis. A simple analysis of the “3 F’s”: Fuel, Fluids, and Filters, reveals that propane autogas engines provides the lowest total cost of ownership by reducing fuel and maintenance costs while eliminating unexpected repairs over the lifetime of a vehicle.
Fuel
Fuel costs are a major challenge facing fleet managers today and there is increasing pressure to reduce fuel costs, with little-to-no capital to accomplish the task. Fleet managers are struggling to balance their budgets with the constant and volatile changes in conventional fuel prices. Fuel price concerns are always at the top of the list primarily because it affects a broad area of annual spending and managers have extremely limited control over this expense. Unlike conventional fuels, propane autogas pricing is predictable and easy to control which makes it easier for managers to manage their budgets and meet annual objectives. Historically, propane autogas is consistently less expensive than both gasoline and diesel. Even with today’s low gasoline and diesel prices, propane autogas is 30 percent less than both fuels making it the least expensive fuel option. Propane is the most widely available alternative fuel in the U.S. A large network of propane retailers provide professional support for fleets including assistance with the selection and installation of refueling infrastructure that best suits the agency’s needs. Retailers are fuel experts and can work with municipal fleets to select a refueling station which can service their fleet as well as other city departments and school districts that use propane autogas trucks, buses and vans.
Further reducing the price of propane autogas, a 2016 federal excise tax credit of $0.36 per gallon is available. State incentive programs may also be available. The Federal Transit Administration also offers funding which offsets fleet costs — for example, 80 percent of the vehicle purchase price if it is FTA tested and certified.
Fluids
Propane autogas engines and emissions systems are less complex and require less fluids than diesel engines. Elimination of these fluids directly impacts operations, maintenance and repair costs throughout the life of a vehicle. Propane autogas engines require less oil by volume than their diesel counterparts which substantially reduces preventative maintenance costs. Another costly fluid, diesel emissions fluid (DEF), is required in SCR engines for proper operation — an added expense that isn’t necessary for propane, which burns cleaner and produces fewer emissions. Failure to maintain required levels of DEF will affect vehicle performance and increase unexpected repair and downtime costs.
Propane autogas performs well for municipalities located in colder climates. During winter, fuel conditioners are required to ensure diesel fuel does not freeze and clog fuel lines and filters which can render a vehicle inoperable. Propane autogas engines do not require DEF or fuel conditioners which eliminates costs making propane autogas engines more affordable to operate and maintain.
Filters
Today’s diesel engines require an increasing number of additional components to comply with federal emissions regulations and fuel efficiency standards. Most notably, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) is required for final-state regeneration of emissions before they exit the tailpipe. DPFs require periodic cleanings to remove excessive particulate matter that clogs the catalyst. Failure to properly clean and maintain a DPF will most certainly clog the filter which de-rates the engine RPM’s and renders a vehicle inoperable. Annual cleanings are recommended by OEMs as the system ages, leading to increased downtime and maintenance costs. Propane autogas engines utilize a simple three gas catalyst to ensure EPA compliance and does not require additional emissions components which further reduces lifetime maintenance costs.
Unlike their predecessors, today’s diesel engines are not designed for excessive idling which has proven to create additional challenges for fleet managers. Excessive idling for periods of more than five minutes has proven to impact performance and productivity and increase maintenance and repair expenses. Engine idling increases the production of emissions which requires regenerations to remove the excessive pollutants. In addition to consuming additional fuel, excessive idling has proven to damage injectors, EGR valves and coolers, turbochargers, and DPFs — all of which increase downtime and maintenance expenses. Another “hidden” cost of diesel engines is the additional electricity require to “plug in” engine block heaters that are required to maintain engine antifreeze coolant temperatures when outside temperatures are near the freezing point. Propane autogas engines provide superior performance, crank reliably regardless of the temperature and are not adversely affected by extended idling periods.
For municipal agencies, propane autogas is helping fleets meet sustainability objectives and improve service to communities while cutting costs and deploying a green transportation solution. A move to propane autogas increases uptime and productivity as engine systems are simpler, cleaner, and fuel costs are more affordable.
The lower total cost-of-ownership offered by propane autogas buses allows municipalities to recoup their vehicle investment faster which eliminates initial acquisition costs concerns. By reducing the amount of money previously spent on fuel, maintenance, and repairs, tax-payer dollars can be shifted to programs which provide better service for constituents.
Michael Taylor is the director of autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council.
