LEXINGTON, NC – Davidson County Transportation converted 10 of its E450 vans to propane autogas in February, and plans to convert two additional larger transit vehicles this summer.

"Not only have our drivers been very pleased with the performance of the autogas-powered buses, these green vehicles are also saving taxpayer dollars," said Davidson County Transportation Manager George Hodges. "We saved about $1,500 in fuel costs running on propane autogas the first month alone, and we also expect to have reduced maintenance needs in the long run since autogas is a cleaner-burning fuel than gasoline."

Asheville, N.C.-based Alliance Autogas’ founding partner Blossman Gas worked with the County throughout the conversion process and helped the fleet get funding for the program from the N.C. Solar Center. Blossman also installed an 800-gallon autogas fuel station at no up-front cost, according to Alliance Autogas.

As part of the program, Davidson County’s mechanics completed Alliance AutoGas’ certification training in order to maintain the new autogas vehicles and continue converting additional county fleet vehicles to propane autogas.