Clean Cities Alt Fuel Program Trains Regional Fleets in Safe, Effective Propane Autogas Vehicle Maintenance

HARRISONBURG, Va. – January 31, 2012 – As more American fleets hit the road with alternative fuel vehicles, U.S. automotive workers need the technical expertise to safely and effectively maintain them. Virginia Clean Cities, which helps fleets switch to clean propane fuel through the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, is coordinating training classes this week to ensure Program fleets have the knowledge to correctly perform maintenance and repairs on propane autogas vehicles.

“Safety training is essential for technicians, mechanics and other fleet personnel who work with propane autogas vehicles, just as it is with traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles,” says Peter Denbigh, projects director at Virginia Clean Cities. “Autogas vehicles are no more complicated to operate than gasoline vehicles, but the technology is different. Especially when a fleet has an in-house service center, their staff should learn how to properly maintain the vehicles from autogas experts.”

The two-day training sessions are being held in Spotsylvania, Va., January 31—Feb. 1, and Iredell County, N.C., February 2—3.

Host organization American Alternative Fuel is a co-founding member of Alliance AutoGas, which provides autogas fueling infrastructure and conversion equipment for Program fleets, with fellow co-founding partner Blossman Gas supplying fuel. Ongoing technical training and support for fleets is part of the Alliance AutoGas complete program. The Program will complete at least 1,195 total propane autogas vehicle conversions by spring 2012.

Fleets running on clean-burning autogas will save on fuel and maintenance costs, reduce harmful pollutants and enhance national energy security. The most widely used alternative fuel in the world, 90 percent of the U.S. autogas supply is made in America. Propane autogas costs around $1-per-gallon less than gasoline, and vehicle conversions and fueling infrastructure are cost-effective for fleets.

About The Program

The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout 10 states in the Southeast U.S. and Washington, DC. Over its four-year span, the Program will put nearly 1,200 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 30 autogas fueling stations. Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and VCC at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.