CITY OF RAYTOWN CONVERTS TRUCKS TO PROPANE

The Raytown Public Works Department have finalized the conversion of three city trucks from gasoline to propane. They will be doing at least three more by the end of this year. The decision to move to propane included the decrease in costs over gasoline or diesel fuel, lower maintenance costs, safety, environmentally friendly and domestic production.

 

Public Works expects to save more than $11,000 per year by fueling with propane gas. This represents a 56% savings for the department in fuel costs. All of the trucks still have the ability to run on gasoline if needed.

 

“We have been studying alternative fuels for about a year to determine what would work for Raytown.” said Andy Noll, Public Works Director. “We chose propane because it was readily available and the costs to change the vehicles were lower.” Propane vehicles emit 17 percent fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than gasoline fueled vehicles. Approximately 90 percent of propane consumed in the U. S. is produced domestically.

 

Propane has the narrowest flammability range among alternative fuels. Propane requires a higher temperature to ignite than gasoline and vaporizes and dissipates into the air. Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture-resistant and have built-in safety devices and shut-off valves. Propane also does not contaminate the soil or water. It also does not spoil or go bad in storage.

 

To make the conversion our vehicles need a fuel tank, a fuel tank mounting and bracket system and a fuel system and line.

 

On July2, 2013, the Raytown Board of Aldermen, approved an agreement with Ferrellgas for three years. Ferrelllgas was chosen as a supplier because they had multiple similar installations  throughout the metropolitan area and has the most experience, knowledge and capability to provide the services that will be needed to complete the installation. Cost was prohibitive in building our own refueling station.

 

Propane fueled vehicles have existed for almost 100 years. There are approximately 17 million propane fueled vehicles are in operation around the globe. It is the most widely used alternative transportation fuel in the world. Previously, the perception was propane could not provide performance levels equal to gasoline but new technology enhancements, better system integration and more trained mechanics have changed that perception.