PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Propane is the one and only topic at the Alaska North Slope Propane Conference on March 31 and April 1, with more than 20 government officials and propane experts – including ROUSH CleanTech’s Todd Mouw – speaking about propane’s sustainability and availability.
Hosted by the Alaska Natural Development Authority and held at the University of Alaska’s Commons Building in Anchorage, the event brings stakeholders together to review opportunities to use propane as an alternative to diesel.
Mouw, vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, will serve as Friday’s keynote address to discuss the company’s partnership with Alaska’s Department of Transportation (DOT). For the past few months, the state of Alaska has incorporated a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas Ford F-250 pickup truck into their fleet. Mouw’s presentation will focus on the findings of this test drive and a summary of the future of propane autogas across the Last Frontier.
A second ROUSH Clean Tech propane autogas powered Ford F-250 will be showcased at the event and available for loan to public and private fleets in Anchorage.
“I want to thank the people of Alaska for testing a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas truck,” said Mouw. “We came here to show that our liquid propane autogas fuel system can operate in the harshest of climates without compromising performance or serviceability. With temperatures dipping well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, Alaskan fleets need an alternative fuel that solves the problem of environmental soundness, as well as cold-weather gelling and performance factors associated with diesel and gasoline products. ROUSH CleanTech answers this call with a readily available product that eliminates these cold performance issues, significantly reduces operating costs and uses a fuel that is produced right here in Alaska.”
According to Mouw, the demo truck has accumulated roughly 1,000 miles a week during Alaska’s coldest time of year running from Fairbanks to the North Slope, and the results of the program have been extremely positive. The test will continue over the next several months so that Alaska DOT can evaluate the fuel system technology and consider implementation towards the end of 2011.
Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline. For each gasoline-fueled fleet vehicle that is replaced by a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas truck or van, nearly 98,000 pounds of carbon dioxide is averted from entering the earth’s atmosphere over the 200,000-mile life of the vehicle. By compounding that figure over the number of Anchorage fleet vehicles available for conversion, Alaskans could remove millions of pounds of carbon emissions each year. In addition, propane autogas costs up to 40 percent less than conventional fuels. Federal and state tax incentives, like the 50-cent per gallon federal tax credit, further promote propane autogas as a cost-effective choice.
“Propane autogas carries a truck-load of benefits. The steps that this beautiful state is taking to evaluate the state’s energy needs are smart,” added Mouw. “Propane autogas is an available energy source that not only answers the call for fleets and home heating needs, but becomes an export product, revenue, and job creation source to boot. And with this alternative fuel already produced on the North Slope, ultra low sulfur diesel doesn’t have to be trucked in, saving even more time and money.”
About ROUSH CleanTech:
Based in Plymouth Township, Mich., ROUSH CleanTech offers dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel systems for a variety of light- and medium- duty Ford vehicles, including the F-150, F-250, F-350 pickup truck series, the F-450 and F-550 chassis cab truck series, the E-150, E-250, and E-350 van & wagon series, and the E-350 and E-450 cutaway van series. Currently offered through authorized Ford dealerships around the country, the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas system delivers the same factory Ford performance characteristics and serviceability with a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty. Customers can reduce operating costs significantly while reducing vehicle emissions. Complete details on ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas offerings can be found online or by calling 800-59-ROUSH.
