WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent study by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) found if a select 10 percent of the commercial fleet vehicle population switched to propane, the country could displace nearly 1 billion gallons of gasoline annually by 2017. The study was commissioned by PERC to help policymakers and commercial fleet managers understand the role that existing alternative-fuel sources, such as propane, can play in helping the nation achieve energy independence while reducing emissions.

The study examined the 86 million trucks on the roads in the United States and determined if fleet owners switched 4.5 million of the vehicles to propane, more than 830 million gallons of gasoline could be displaced by 2017.

Conducted by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc. (an ICF International Company) of Arlington, Va., the study focused on commercial fleets consisting of six or more vehicles that operate within a 100-mile radius.

Compared to gasoline, propane produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and cuts emissions of toxins and carcinogens by up to 96 percent, according to PERC. Operating costs are up to 30 percent lower than conventional or reformulated gasoline, and propane infrastructure costs are minimal compared to other alternative fuels, with fuel dispensers placed directly on site at a fleet location.

There are new commercially available vehicles that run on propane that do not require any additional conversion costs and are fully warranted by their respective manufacturer, including the Roush F-150 pick-up truck, the Propane Powered Vision School Bus from Blue Bird Corporation, and a GM 8.1L engine.