According to data by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), 2017 saw 13,045 Autogas fleet vehicles sold, mainly heavy-duty vehicles. The new vehicles annually consume 36.8 million gallons of LPG and will displace fuels with higher emissions like gasoline and diesel. Despite some unfavourable local conditions, the industry sales held steady last year, reported PERC.

“Autogas overcame significant challenges in 2017 — from the absence of federal incentives for alternative fuels from the federal government, to incredibly low gasoline and diesel prices throughout much of the year — and we received an overwhelming endorsement for our fuel in all markets. Autogas sales virtually held steady in a year where the conventional fuels held all of the advantages,” said Michael Taylor, director of Autogas business development for PERC. “Looking ahead, our forecasts indicate there is a lot to be optimistic about thanks to a variety of opportunities that will help increase propane autogas vehicle sales in 2018 and beyond.”

Opportunities to help sales in the near term include new OEM solutions for medium and heavy-duty truck applications. PERC funded its first Autogas hybrid for light-duty vehicles in 2017 and continues to research the technology. Additional aftermarket Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certifications will be added later this year.

The new solutions are expected to increase sales and balance out OEM-dedicated Autogas fleet vehicle sales with aftermarket conversion sales. Last year, 68% of all Autogas fleet sales were aftermarket conversions, but is expected to be reduced to 55% by 2021 as more OEM dedicated vehicles become available. For more information, please visit this link.

6 June 2018