Michigan Propane Fleet Vehicles

One-Stop-Shop to Huge Savings on Vehicle Fuel and Maintenance, Fueling Infrastructure, and Tailpipe Emissions

What You Missed During the Propane Workshop

Going Green and Saving Millions

Our Panel of experts discussed the three phases of deciding and building a propane vehicle fleet

Propane Fleet Workshop Take Away

“Saving Millions and Going Green”

Early Stage: should I convert my fleet to propane?
At this early stage, MPGA’s vehicle team can bring our propane demonstration truck to your fleet office. We can also arrange for you to visit an existing propane fleet in your neighborhood. You will see and hear what fleet owners/managers say about their experience with propane. In the meantime, check out www.MiAutogas.com/testimonials.

We can also arrange for you and your mechanics to visit a propane conversion supplier to learn how gas vehicles are converted to propane.

Finally, remember that propane vehicles pay for themselves compared to gas or electric trucks. The great news is the rebates, grants, and tax breaks you can get when converting your fleet to propane.
Mid-Stage: how do I slowly scale up my propane fleet?
In this early stage, fleet managers often purchase a few propane vehicles to let everyone in their company check them out. That includes drivers, mechanics, and, in some cases, the passengers. The results will put a smile on your face:) In this stage, you’ll choose a propane conversion company that meets your needs. Your rigs can be fueled up at your local public propane station during this early stage. Michigan has over 60 of these public stations. Or your local propane retailer can drop off a self-contained pump and tank. More on fuel stations will be discussed in the next phase.

Propane fleet vehicles can be bought from the factory or converted by several Midwest-based after-market companies. It is estimated Michigan has 30,000 propane fleet vehicles on the road. Learn about propane conversion centers and propane truck grants Here.

Fleet vehicles can be fueled solely on propane or have a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to switch back and forth between propane and gasoline. Tip: If your fleet is gasoline-powered, you can convert the vehicles to a bi-fuel system. If your fleet is diesel-powered, you must purchase a dedicated propane engine.
Final Stage: I’m now ready to save money and have clean running vehicles:
Now that you have decided to scale up your fleet, it’s a good time to decide on fueling it. The most popular choice is buying an on-site pump facility or having your propane fuel supplier provide one. A standard private station is ideal for a fleet of less than 50 vehicles, but an advanced private station is best for 50+ fleet vehicles. Contact your local supplier to find the best option for your fleet.

Also, this is the time to alert the local news media that your fleet is going green and saving money. The public loves here about clean-running propane vehicles.

Schedule Propane Vehicle Test Drive Here

Learn more about the performance and cost savings here

Learn more about the positive environmental benefits here

Fuel Type	Light Duty	School Buses	Paratransit	Single Unit Short-Haul Truck	Single Unit Long-Haul Truck
Propane	$50,000	$108,000	$48,000	$78,000	$89,000
Electric	$93,000	$300,000	$93,000	$150,000	$185,000
Diesel	$53,000	$100,000	$53,000	$70,000	$75,000
Gasoline	$42,000	N/A	$42,000	N/A	N/A

	Propane	Gasoline	Diesel	Electric
Chemical Structure	C3H8 (majority) and C4H10 (minority)	C4 to C12 and Ethanol ≤ to 10%	C8 to C25	N/A
Fuel Material (feedstocks)	Fats and oils from sources such as soybeans, waste cooking oil, animal fats, and rapeseed	Crude Oil	Crude Oil	Natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar, and small percentages of geothermal and biomass
Gasoline or Diesel Gallon Equivalent (GGE or DGE)	1 gal = 0.74 GGE 1 gal = 0.66 DGE	1 gal = 1.00 GGE 1 gal = 0.88 DGE	1 gal = 1.12 GGE 1 gal = 1.00 DGE	1 kWh = 0.030 GGE 1 kWh = 0.027 DGE
Energy Comparison (GGE = Gasoline Gallon Equivalent)	gallon of propane has 73% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the lower energy density of propane.	1 gallon of gasoline has 97%–100% of the energy in 1 GGE. Standard fuel is 90% gasoline, 10% ethanol.	1 gallon of diesel has 113% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the higher energy density of diesel fuel.	A typical battery that is the same size as a gallon of gas (0.134 ft3), when used for transportation, can store 15.3% of the energy in 1 GGE. [6][7]
Energy Content (lower heating value)	84,250 Btu/gal (c)	112,114– 116,090 Btu/gal (c)	128,488 Btu/gal (c)	3,414 Btu/kWh
Energy Content (higher heating value)	91,420 Btu/gal (c)	120,388– 124,340 Btu/gal (c)	138,490 Btu/gal (c)	3,414 Btu/kWh
Physical State	Pressurized liquid (heavier than air as a gas)	Liquid	Liquid	Electricity
Cetane Number	N/A	N/A	40–55 (d)	N/A
Pump Octane Number	105 (g)	84–93 (f)	N/A	N/A
Flash Point	-100° to -150°F (j)	45°F (j)	165°F (j)	N/A
Autoignition Temperature	850° to 950°F (j)	495°F (j)	~600°F (j)	N/A
Maintenance Issues			Lubricity is improved over that of conventional low sulfur diesel fuel. For more maintenance information see, the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines—Fifth Edition. (d)
Energy Security Impacts	Approximately half of U.S. LPG is derived from oil, but no oil is imported specifically for LPG production.	Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l)	Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l)	Electricity is produced domestically from a wide range of sources, including through coal-fired power plants and renewable sources, making it a versatile fuel.

Fuel Type	School Buses
Propane	$108,000
Electric	$300,000
Diesel	$100,000
Diesel HEV	$160,000
CNG	$130,000
Gasoline

Chassis	7.3L Version	GVWR	0.05 NOx
E-350	Premium	10,050	N/A
E-350	Economy	10,050	N/A
Economy	E-450	14,000	N/A
Premium	E-450	14,200	Yes
E-450	Premium	14,500	Yes

Michigan Propane Fleet Vehicles

One-Stop-Shop to Huge Savings on Vehicle Fuel and Maintenance, Fueling Infrastructure, and Tailpipe Emissions

What You Missed During the Propane Workshop

Going Green and Saving Millions

Propane Fleet Workshop Take Away

Sign up to Test Drive a Propane Vehicle

School buses

School Buses

EPA Certified Engines

Average Purchase Price

Average Maintenance Cost

Average ROI Time

Annual GHG Emissions

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Food/bev Vehicles

Food/Beverage Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Average Purchase Price

Average ROI Time

Annual GHG Emissions

Ave. Vehicle Life Span and Ave. Propane Fuel Use

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 2 Light-Duty Trucks:

Class 2B Heavy-Duty Trucks:

Class 3 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Service/Utility

Service/Utility Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Average Purchase Price

Average ROI Time

Annual GHG Emissions

Ave. Vehicle Life Span and Ave. Propane Fuel Use

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 2 Light-Duty Trucks:

Class 2B Heavy-Duty Trucks:

Class 3 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Police/EMT Vehicles

Police/EMT Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Average Purchase Price

Average ROI Time

Annual GHG Emissions

Ave. Vehicle Life Span and Ave. Propane Fuel Use

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 2 Light-Duty Trucks:

Class 2B Heavy-Duty Trucks:

Class 3 Vehicles

Class 4 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Paratransit

Paratransit Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Annual GHG Emissions

Ave. Vehicle Life Span and Ave. Propane Fuel Use

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

Class 5 Vehicles

Class 6 Vehicles

Class 7 Vehicles

Delivery Vehicles

Delivery Vehicles

Average Cost Per Mile

Annual GHG Emissions

Ave. Vehicle Life Span and Ave. Propane Fuel Use

EPA Certified Engines

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

Average
ROI Time

Average
ROI Time

Average
ROI Time