A Deceptively Simple Question:
If someone asked you, “Which type of fuel is more customer-friendly, electric or propane?” you’d probably have an answer pretty quickly: EVs!
But intuitive as it might seem, propane actually has advantages for the customer that aren’t as widely known. Recently, these benefits have made themselves evident in consumer trends.
Propane is a Byproduct, not a Waste Product
How is it made?
Most propane is produced during natural gas processing and oil refining. Propane is separated during processing so it can be put to productive use rather than being flared or left unused. The same is true in refineries, where propane is captured from gasoline and diesel production.
An Optimized, Safe Fuel-source
Propane isn’t drilled for on its own. It’s recovered during refinement steps that are already happening— making it an efficient use of resources and a strong example of energy optimization. Advanced separation and fractionation technologies ensure propane is captured safely and reliably.
A Forward-looking Fuel
Renewable Propane
Compared with other conventional fuels, propane burns cleanly, producing low emissions and virtually no particulate matter. That makes it a practical solution for heating, transportation, agriculture, and industry— especially in cold regions like Michigan. And propane’s story is evolving. Renewable propane can be produced from plant oils, waste fats, and other bio-based feedstocks, all using existing infrastructure.
Portability
Once separated, propane is liquefied under moderate pressure, making it easy to store and transport. This portability enables propane to deliver reliable energy in rural areas, during power outages, and anywhere the electric grid may be constrained.
So What’s the Story with Electric Vehicles?
Changing Strategies
Overinvestment in electric vehicles has created challenges for emerging EV offerings. Just a few weeks ago, NPR correspondent Camila Domonoske published an article on car manufacturers’ shifts away from fully electric vehicles toward hybrids. The article details Ford’s transition away from its fully electric F-150 truck. Ford isn’t planning to stop making electric cars– just transitioning to hybrids. The reasons why might surprise you.
The story is the same for many EVs: their features are great, they’re good for the environment, but tend to be unaffordable. In the F-150’s case, its planned price point had to be raised $15,000 due to manufacturing costs. That’s why producers are now aiming for a more balanced model.
Fuel Diversity
Fuel diversification, the practice of maintaining a broad portfolio of fuel types for the power grid to draw from, is another strategy aimed at balance. Fuel diversity (including propane, gas and electric) helps keep Michigan’s industries resilient by avoiding dependence on any single energy source. When manufacturers, farms, and fleets can draw from multiple fuels, they’re able to stay flexible during price swings, grid outages, and extreme weather. Propane adds portable, reliable energy to the mix, strengthening operations and preventing overspecialization.
