You may have heard me say this before, but it bears repeating: America’s path to near-zero emissions is wide and should include a variety of clean fuel options that best meet the needs of individual businesses and their fleets.
Andrew Reinhardt, general manager of Van Dyke Gas — a Michigan-based fuel distributor that supplies propane autogas, diesel and gasoline — says that using all three fuels in his fleet makes sense. While Van Dyke has several fuel options to choose from, the company relies on propane for the majority of its vehicles.
Here’s why.
Cost Savings
“For us, cost savings has always been the driving factor in operating a majority of our fleet on propane,” said Reinhardt. “With a 20-30% reduction in fuel savings, propane makes financial sense for us.”
On average, propane autogas costs 40% less than gasoline and 50% less than diesel; however, Van Dyke’s fuel costs are already very low due to the nature of its business so the margins are a bit slimmer. For many, access to the U.S. Energy Department’s alternative fuel tax credit provides an additional rebate of $0.37 per gallon.
The company currently operates 12 propane trucks, with 13 additional trucks that either run on diesel or gasoline. Their propane vehicles, including Ford F-650 and F-750 units, handle critical tasks like deliveries and crane operations, clocking about 100,000 miles annually. Over the years, the company estimates its propane vehicles have collectively driven 3 million miles.
Commitment to Caring for the Climate
Beyond cost savings, another important driver in Van Dyke’s decision-making is reducing harmful emissions.
“We’ve made a climate pledge and are committed to net zero emissions,” said Reinhardt. “Propane gets overlooked in achieving that goal. Propane produces much less greenhouse emissions than gasoline and diesel.”
The company’s propane vehicles are certified to the ultra-low NOx level of 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour, making them 90% cleaner than the EPA's most stringent heavy-duty engine standard. They also emit fewer greenhouse gases, smog-producing hydrocarbons and particulate emissions than conventional fuels.
Advanced Technology and Employee Performance
“Van Dyke has actually been operating propane vehicles since 1984, and we’ve used a variety of different engine systems,” said Reinhardt. “Propane engine technology has improved a lot in the last ten years.” Reinhardt also cited ease in finding qualified propane mechanics and abundance of service centers as benefits to the changing alternative fuel landscape.
Van Dyke also sees an increase in employee productivity with its propane vehicles. The company’s maintenance crews and drivers have embraced the propane vehicles, finding them reliable and efficient, especially with the adoption of advanced propane technology nearly 10 years ago. “Our drivers have no complaints on the vehicle performance, and we have had no issues operating vehicles with GVWRs of 24,000 and more,” Reinhardt said.
Propane Can Be Part of the Fuel Portfolio
Van Dyke supplies and uses many different fuels, and sees companies of all shapes and sizes utilize those fuels on a daily basis. With all that information in his back pocket, Reinhardt believes propane is a top option for any business. “If your company’s goals are to reduce fuel costs, reduce emissions, avoid downtime from charging and maintain vehicle power and performance, propane should be at the top of your list.”
While Van Dyke has been operating propane vehicles for decades, many other propane distributors are now following suit. Companies like ThompsonGas are making the switch to propane vehicles, citing the cost benefits, reduction in harmful emissions and smooth operation of the trucks.
Adopting an alternative fuel into your business’s fleet is not a light decision. That’s why we consistently share success stories from a variety of operators, including parcel delivery and home services companies. We also address top questions from fleet operators about trucks powered by propane here.
Todd Mouw is executive vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of alternative fuel vehicle technology. Mouw has served as president of the NTEA Green Truck Association. To learn more, call 800.59.ROUSH or visit ROUSHcleantech.com.
