LIVONIA, Mich. – ROUSH® has often stated that their lineup of liquid propane-powered Ford F-Series pickups and E-Series vans have no loss of horsepower, torque or towing capacity. However, that message can best be learned by sitting in the driver’s seat and personally experiencing the complete functionality of the ROUSH liquid propane vehicle performance. Now, this week, ROUSH is taking their vehicles on the roads of California to give prospective customers a first-hand test drive.
California is a leading state when it comes to green vehicle technology, yet fleets are struggling to meet state emissions requirements. Propane provides an immediate solution to cleaner emissions as well as a reduction in foreign oil dependency. The Return on Investment to propane makes more sense than any other alternative fuel option available today; additionally, a government grant is not necessary to see a positive ROI with a switch to propane.
The 2010 California Propane Road Show features a number of companies involved in propane vehicles, including ROUSH. There are three stops on the tour, each of which will begin with a short presentation on the benefits to using propane and end with a participant ride-and-drive opportunity. The presentations begin at 9 a.m. (Pacific), and the locations include:
- June 29 – A-Z Bus Sales, 3418 52nd Ave., Sacramento, CA 95823
- June 30 – Meeder Equipment, 3495 S. Maple Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
- July 1 – Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale, CA 91706
The event is sponsored by the Western Propane Gas Association with support from the Propane Education & Research Council in Washington, D.C.
“Propane is a here-and-now choice for fleets who want to achieve state and federal emission requirements and save money over traditional gas and diesel options,” said Lesley Garland, president and CEO of the Western Propane Gas Association. “Test driving the propane vehicles shows fleet and transportation managers how well the vehicles perform while running on a fuel that will help them reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs immediately.
As an alternative fuel, propane offers a variety of advantages. It is available “right here, right now” with a national infrastructure already in place. Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline. It is already the third most widely used fuel worldwide, following gasoline and diesel. Propane also plays a strong role in lowering our national dependence on foreign oil, as 90 percent of the propane used today comes from domestic sources of production.
“We are always excited to have a potential customer drive a ROUSH liquid propane-powered vehicle and see how it matches the Ford specs in terms of driving characteristics. Our fleet customers use these trucks and vans as work tools and they cannot have any degradation in performance. By allowing them to drive a ROUSH propane-powered vehicle and experience firsthand how similar it is to a gasoline-powered vehicle is a very powerful tool,” said Joe Thompson, vice-president and general manager of ROUSH Performance.
Numerous studies have been conducted on the operational savings fleets can achieve by converting to propane as a motor fuel, and a savings calculator is available online at www.SwitchToPropane.com that allows the user to input variables specific to their usage. While each fleet situation is unique, it is not uncommon for fleet managers to see savings of nearly $39,000 per van over a total vehicle life of 350,000 miles.
ROUSH liquid propane-powered vehicles are a smart energy choice and complete details can be found online at www.SwitchToPropane.com or by calling 800-59-ROUSH.
Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles are designed, manufactured and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH. Follow us on Twitter @_ROUSH_ or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ROUSHperformance.
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