Propane Gas Association of Canada - All About Propane: Environment: Transportation

Transportation

There are more than thirteen million propane-fuelled vehicles in operation around the world today – a number that is growing by 10-15% per year, according to the World LP Gas Association. That’s not surprising, given the environmental advantages of propane vehicles.

Did you know:

Tests conducted by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency show that properly tuned propane engines produce 30% to 90% less carbon monoxide than properly tuned gasoline engines?
Overall, propane emits about 50% fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline, with extremely low levels of sulphur, a big contributor to acid rain?
Dedicated propane vehicles emit up to 27% fewer greenhouse gasses than gasoline vehicles, even when compared to the latest gasoline technology?

Propane, with its low carbon content, is recommended by various organizations, including the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, as a cleaner, greener alternative fuel for use in vehicles. Choosing to use vehicles powered by propane instead of diesel or gasoline helps reduce the pollutants related to climate change.

Of course, greenhouse gasses are not the only measure of environmental impact. Propane stands out as a superior transportation fuel by all measures – unlike gasoline it is low in greenhouse gas emissions and, unlike diesel, it is low in particulate emissions (diesel fuel has more than forty toxic substances and air contaminants). Regular transportation fuels are a leading source of air pollutants that can cause cancer, respiratory problems, skin conditions, central nervous system damage and exacerbate allergies. The results of air pollutants cost Canadians several billions of dollars per year in health care expenses.

Powering vehicles with clean-burning propane reduces the negative impact on air quality and human health compared to conventional gasoline or diesel.

As the federal government has noted, propane is also a patriotic choice:

“All the propane available in Canada is produced by Canadian sources, bringing economic benefits to Canadians. As well, propane as a vehicle fuel is widely available throughout urban and rural Canada, making it a convenient choice for most Canadians.” – Natural Resources Canada website

Buses

Releasing fewer harmful pollutants makes propane not only a cleaner vehicle fuel but also a healthier one. School bus fleets converted to propane from diesel emit significantly less fine particulate matter into the atmosphere and protect the health of the children who use them. Children travelling inside a diesel-powered school bus may be exposed to as much as four times the level of toxic diesel exhaust as someone driving in a car ahead of it.¹

Check out these Case Studies by the U.S. Propane Education and Research Council (PERC):

Propane Powers Denton ISD School Buses

Propane Powers LADOT’s DASH Bus Service

Propane Powers Portland Public School Buses

Propane Powers Zion National Park’s Shuttle Bus Service

Indoor Vehicles

Propane-powered forklifts are one example of indoor vehicles that take advantage of the environmental benefits of propane. Propane is a clean-burning, non-toxic fuel that can safely be used indoors, with proper ventilation.

Check out this brochure by the U.S. Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) – Propane Forklifts

Check out this Case Study by the U.S. Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) – Propane Powers Overnite’s Forklift Fleet

Airports

Airports across North America are turning to propane to fuel their vehicles and conform to allowable levels of air pollution. Vehicles range from fire and rescue trucks to runway sweepers and hotel shuttles. Using propane to fuel these fleets enables airports to expand their facility and service, while meeting their environmental requirements.

Economic Advantage

As people and companies around the world are learning, environmental responsibility does not have to mean additional costs. In fact, doing your part for the environment can also save you money!

That is certainly true when it comes to propane and transportation. In most parts of the country, propane is significantly cheaper than gasoline. Natural Resources Canada estimates that, taking all factors into account, it costs 25% - 30% less to operate a propane vehicle compared to gasoline. The largest savings are seen in vehicles that travel more than 25,000 kilometres per year and/or that spend a considerable time idling. This is why taxis, busses, and service and delivery vehicles are natural choices for propane fuelling on both economic and environmental grounds.

Vehicles can be converted to propane in as little as one day, and the conversion equipment can usually be transferred to your next vehicle. Depending on how you drive, you may recover the cost of converting your vehicle within one year – after which you will be saving both money and our environment.

A Practical Choice

As well as being the clearly superior environmental choice, propane is a practical alternative as a transportation fuel.

Did you know:

Propane tanks, built to superior standards, may be safer in an accident and less prone to leakage? Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture-proof than conventional gasoline tanks.
There are over 2,500 propane refuelling stations in Canada. To locate service stations in your area or for more information, visit www.propaneservices.ca.
Automobiles can be converted to run on both propane and gasoline, ensuring peace of mind when driving on long trips, or in remote areas? There is no significant difference in performance, but your engine may last a great deal longer, also reducing costs and environmental impacts of replacing parts.

For More Information

Visit the PGAC’s comprehensive Auto Propane website (www.propaneconversion.ca) for more details about the environmental benefits and other advantages of propane as a transportation fuel.