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Propane Basics Propane Basics Propane powers nearly 60,000 vehicles in the United States.1 Fleets around the United States have Propane is a popular choice for many fleet vehicle applications, including school, shuttle, paratransit, and transit buses as well as delivery trucks, vans, taxis, law successfully implemented propane enforcement vehicles, and vocational trucks. Photo by Propane Education & vehicles in many types of applications, Research Council. including school buses, shuttle buses, step vans, and law enforcement How is propane produced autoignition temperature, so it takes vehicles. Propane is also frequently and distributed? significantly more heat for the fuel used in off-road applications, such Propane is a byproduct of natural gas to ignite without a flame or spark. as forklifts, commercial landscape processing and crude oil refining. As of Propane tanks are also 20 times more mowers and equipment, and other 2020, more than 93% of the U.S. propane puncture-resistant than gasoline tanks. 2 farm equipment. The advantages supply was produced in North America. Propane vehicle tanks are equipped Propane is shipped from its point of with pressure relief devices that release of propane include its domestic production to bulk distribution terminals fuel in a controlled manner in the availability, performance, and via pipeline, railroad, barge, truck, or event of overfilling, heat expansion, emissions benefits. tanker. Propane marketers then purchase or fire. The National Fire Protection propane at terminals and distribute the Association (NFPA), U.S. Department of What is propane? fuel to customers, including retail or Transportation, and other organizations provide safety guidelines for propane Also known as liquefied petroleum private fueling stations. vehicles, as well as propane fueling gas (LPG), propane is an odorless Chemically identical to conventional equipment.3 A list of applicable codes and hydrocarbon (C H ) gas at normal 3 8 propane, renewable propane is produced standards is available on the Alternative pressures and temperatures. It is the same from biomass-based feedstocks, including Fuels Data Center (AFDC) website (afdc. propane used for residential heating, used cooking oil, animal fats, or 20% energy.gov/pdfs/48612.pdf), and the cooking, and grills. Propane that is dimethyl ether. Renewable propane is Propane Education & Research Council marketed and sold exclusively for use in currently produced in limited quantities at (PERC) provides training on vehicle motor vehicles is sometimes branded as biodiesel refineries. maintenance4 and fuel dispensing.5 Autogas, to reflect that it is measured, taxed, and dispensed as a vehicle fuel. Is propane safe for Fleets implementing propane vehicles But it is virtually identical to conventional should consider maintenance facility propane. When pressurized in a tank to vehicle use? modifications. These may be required 150 pounds per square inch, it becomes a Just like conventional vehicles, based on several factors, including the liquid with an energy density 270 times propane vehicles must comply with degree of repair work done in the facility greater than that of its gaseous form. all applicable regulations, including and the facility’s physical configuration Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and layout. Fleet managers should also be (FMVSS). Compared to gasoline and aware of the applicable codes and engage diesel, however, propane has a higher their local Authority Having Jurisdiction 1 Propane Education and Research Council. 2021. (propane.com) 2 EIA U.S. Propane Production by Source, 2008-2019 (eia.gov/energyexplained/hydrocarbon-gas-liquids/where-do-hydrocarbon-gas-liquids-come-from-in-depth.php) and EIA U.S. Imports of Propane (eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MPAIM_NUS-Z00_2&f=A) 3 National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 58, (nfpa.org/codes-and-standards) 4 Propane Autogas Technician Training (propane.com/safety/safety-articles/propane-autogas-technician-training) 5 Dispensing Propane Autogas Training Program (propane.com/safety/safety-articles/dispensing-propane-autogas-training-program) (AHJ) regarding such modifications. The AHJ will also have information about any local requirements regarding the use or storage of gaseous fuels in underground parking garages or maintenance facilities. The PERC website includes informational videos that cover these topics.6 How do propane vehicles work? Propane vehicles have been widely used and refined for decades. • Operation. Propane vehicles operate much like gasoline vehicles with spark-ignited engines. There are two types of propane fuel-injection systems This illustration of a bi-fuel vehicle highlights both the propane and gasoline fuel available: vapor and liquid injection. system components. Photo from AFDC. In both types, propane is stored as a liquid in a relatively low-pressure tank. The liquid injection technology What propane vehicles (CARB) regulations for applicable states, allows more precise control of the fuel are available? and FMVSS for the appropriate vehicle delivery, resulting in improved engine weight classification). For a list of EPA Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty performance and efficiency. compliant propane conversion systems propane vehicles are available for various and engines, see the EPA website at epa. • Performance. A propane vehicle’s applications in either dedicated or bi-fuel gov/vehicle-and-engine-certification/ power, acceleration, and cruising speed configuration. Buyers can purchase lists-epa-compliant-alternative-fuel- are similar to those of a conventionally vehicles through OEM dealerships conversion-systems. fueled vehicle. Bi-fuel vehicles or have existing in-service vehicles have two separate fueling systems, converted to propane. Note that the list is not necessarily enabling the vehicle to run on either comprehensive. EPA adds conversion Certain OEMs also offer propane “prep propane or gasoline. This provides the systems upon request of the system’s packages,” which allow a qualified flexibility of using either fuel, which manufacturer and advises checking the system retrofitter or vehicle modifier typically provides bi-fuel vehicles a list periodically for updates. Customers (QSR or QVM) to install a propane fuel greater range than dedicated propane should ask to verify a manufacturer’s delivery system before the vehicle is or gasoline vehicles. Extra storage EPA or CARB certificate. delivered to the customer. tanks can increase range, but the System manufacturers may perform the tank size and additional weight affect To find available propane vehicles and conversion themselves or work closely payload capacity. Because a gallon of engines, see the AFDC’s Vehicle Search with a QSR/QVM, also referred to as an propane has 27% less energy than a at afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/search. “upfitter” or “installer.” A well-qualified gallon of gasoline, the fuel economy QSR/QVM will have established of propane vehicles is slightly lower. How can I find reliable procedures, best practices, and technical However, propane has a higher training for the installation process. It pump octane number than gasoline and approved propane is important to understand these and (104–112 compared to 87–92 for conversions? review documentation on conversion gasoline7) and some original equipment Conversion systems must be compliant practices, procedures, and training when manufacturers (OEMs) offer dedicated with all safety and emissions regulations considering any conversion equipment engines optimized to take advantage for the states or regions where the vehicle and services. For more information, of this higher rating. This can result is intended to operate (e.g., emissions consult the AFDC Propane Vehicle in improved performance and fuel certified as compliant in accordance with Conversions page (afdc.energy.gov/ economy over non-optimized engines. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency vehicles/propane_conversions.html) (EPA) or California Air Resources Board or What Fleets Need to Know About 6 Fleet Garaging Requirements (propane.com/safety/safety-articles/fleet-garaging-requirements) 7 AFDC Fuel Properties Comparison (afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fuel_properties.php) 2 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversions, Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Retrofits, and Repowers (afdc.energy. Transportation (AFLEET) tool (greet. gov/files/u/publication/afv_conversions_ es.anl.gov/afleet) helps estimate retrofits_repowers.pdf). petroleum use, emissions, and cost of ownership of light- and heavy-duty Clean Cities coordinators can help vehicles for a variety of fuels. prepare vehicle specification and locate reliable providers to ensure a quality Lower maintenance costs are also often installation. Clean Cities also provides reported, particularly for high-mileage technical assistance to help fleets ensure vehicles. Also, propane’s low-carbon and quality control for converted vehicles. low oil-contamination characteristics may result in longer engine life.8 How much do propane vehicles cost? Is it easy to fuel a While the initial purchase price of propane vehicle? propane vehicles may be several Fueling a propane vehicle is similar to Fueling a propane vehicle is similar thousand more than that of comparable fueling a conventional vehicle and takes to fueling a conventional vehicle conventional vehicles, propane vehicles about the same amount of time. There and takes about the same amount can provide an acceptable return on are minimal concerns around spillage of time. Some attendant training
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