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For more than 65 years, RIDG-U-RAK has been
the innovative leader in storage rack design and
production. Whether you need replacement beams
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space, RIDG-U-RAK is the name to trust.
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• One of the largest rack manufacturers
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Selective Pallet Rack • Drive-In • Push Back • Flow
• Pick Modules • Cantilever • Stacker Cranes •
Roll-Out Shelving • Seismic Base Isolation
And it’s not just cheaper; it’s cleaner too, advocates say.
Depending on the application, propane-fueled vehicles generate 17
to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their gasoline-powered counterparts, says Brian Feehan, vice president of PERC.
Another advantage is that 90 percent of propane is derived from
sources in the United States, which minimizes the risk of supply
disruptions caused by geopolitical events. In comparison, the
United States imports roughly 60 percent of its petroleum.
On top of that, propane is readily available. The lack of refueling
infrastructure that has hampered the adoption of some other alternative fuels, like hydrogen, is less likely to be a concern with
propane. Although most propane-based fleets handle refueling at
the company’s own locations, that’s not their only option. A network of public fueling stations already exists. According to the
Department of Energy, there are 2,500 propane refueling stations
throughout the country. (To locate a propane refueling station, go
to http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/propane_locations.html.)
BUMPY ROAD TO ADOPTION
Yet for all its advantages, propane has made only limited inroads
in the U.S. over-the-road truck market. Although it appeared to
be poised for takeoff following the OPEC embargo and resulting
oil crisis in the ’70s, interest faded once oil supplies loosened up
and fuel prices retreated.
Historically, this hasn’t been the easiest of routes for a fleet
manager to pursue. While propane itself may be relatively inexpensive and widely available, that’s not necessarily true of the
trucks that run on it. Even today, a fleet manager contemplating
going over to propane will face a number of hurdles.
For one thing, the vehicles carry a high price tag. Propane-powered trucks cost on average $6,500 to $11,000 more than
gasoline-powered ones.
For another, there’s vehicle availability. Although Feehan says
things are starting to change, one of the biggest barriers fleet
owners have encountered to date has been simply finding a
propane-powered truck that meets their needs.
Some companies have solved the problem by converting gasoline trucks to propane. Schwan’s, for instance, buys its fleet vehicles with their original gasoline systems intact and uses certified
technicians to install a liquid propane injection system. “Basically
it just adapts right to the engine and wiring harness without any
alterations to the original equipment,” says Schueller.
“[Conversion] is not difficult to do,” agrees Feehan. “The diffi-
cult part is getting the vehicle certified in terms of durability, dri-
vability, emissions-testing compliance, and EPA standards. Once
that’s done—and that’s usually [handled] by the fuel-system
manufacturer—it takes eight hours for a certified installer to put
in the fuel system.”
But that still leaves the question of service and repairs. With
propane not yet in widespread use, it’s not always easy to find
technicians who are familiar with the fuel and willing to work
with it. To build a repair network, Schwan’s ended up training
potential service providers itself.
