Commentary: How retailers can achieve a cleaner, more affordable fleet
Once materials leave the warehouse or distribution center, businesses can also rely on propane as a clean energy source for its delivery vehicles. Propane autogas—the name for propane when it is used in a vehicle application—is an ideal energy source for fleets that want to go green. Propane autogas offers fleets a range up to 400 miles per day and performance that can match gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles.
Like forklifts, businesses looking to reduce emissions with either propane autogas or electric vehicles should evaluate the site-to-source emissions of their energy source—not just what’s happening at the tailpipe. A recent study from PERC titled, “Decarbonization of MD-HD Vehicles with Propane,” found that propane medium-duty vehicles (up to class 7) provide a lower carbon footprint solution in most of the U.S. when compared to medium-duty EVs that are charged using the electric grid. When comparing the life-cycle equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2eq) emissions of a single medium-duty vehicle, propane autogas on a national average emits 125 tons of CO2eq less than an electric medium-duty vehicle.
In addition to being a low-carbon energy source, today’s propane autogas engines are 90 percent cleaner than EPA standards and reduce NOx emissions by 96 percent compared to the best-in-class clean diesel engine.
Going green doesn’t have to break the budget
Many companies going green have noticed that it can sometimes come with a higher price tag. But with propane, companies can see significant cost savings as a result of their emission reduction efforts.
With forklifts, for example, propane offers cost savings throughout ownership. The capital costs of propane-powered forklifts are almost 30% lower than those for electric, when factoring in the equipment needed for battery recharging. Propane helps avoid these extra expenses, saving money for other line items like new employees, additional training, or business development, to name a few.
Additionally, propane cylinders last three times longer than electric forklift batteries and their lifespan isn’t affected by the amount of fuel left in the tank, whereas a battery with too high or too low of a charge can have a much shorter lifespan. Businesses operating propane can also lock in a fuel contract with their local propane supplier for more savings and financial peace of mind.
Propane autogas is affordable too and reduces more emissions per dollar than any other energy source. When you factor in the cost of a new vehicle and the costs for fuel, fluids, maintenance, and repairs, propane autogas has the lowest cost of any energy source for the lifetime of the vehicle—making achieving these significant emissions reductions attainable for delivery fleets. Not to mention, propane autogas refueling infrastructure is also affordable, and in many cases, fleet owners can attain the equipment from their propane supplier in exchange for a fuel contract.
Best of all, propane is a solution available today for fleets ready to make the transition and start improving their environmental and economic performance. For more information, visit Propane.com.