Law enforcement technologyServing and protecting – and saving money in the process
As municipalities battle tight budgets and rising gasoline prices, law enforcement fleets across in the United States have found a way to save taxpayer dollars by shifting to clean-burning, American-made propane autogas
One of Vestavia Hills' propane-powered cruisers // Source: vestaviahills.net
As municipalities battle tight budgets and rising gasoline prices, law enforcement fleets across in the United States have found a way to save taxpayer dollars by shifting to clean-burning, American-made propane autogas. The Alliance AutoGas says that running on autogas allows police and sheriff fleets to cut fuel costs by tens of thousands of dollars annually, while reducing vehicle maintenance and harmful emissions.
The Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Police Department recently discovered that converting fourteen cruisers to autogas was the most cost-effective way to go green. They enlisted Alliance AutoGas to outfit their Ford Crown Victorias with bi-fuel systems and install an on-site autogas station to give officers easy fueling access. Vestavia expects to save significantly on fuel costs.
“Converting to autogas is simply the most viable solution for law enforcement looking to save money and drive clean, without sacrificing vehicle performance,” says Alliance AutoGas president Stuart Weidie. “Not only is autogas about $1.25 per gallon cheaper than gasoline but vehicle conversions and fueling stations are more affordable compared to other alternative fuels.”
Alliance AutoGas describes itself as the U.S. only complete program to help fleets shift to autogas, providing vehicle conversions, installing on-site autogas stations, supplying fuel, and ensuring fleets have ongoing training and technical support. Alliance says that among law enforcement fleets it is currently helping to shift to autogas are:
The Jackson County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office outside Atlanta is saving between $110-145k annually after converting 60 squad cars to autogas.
The Raleigh, North Carolina, Police Department has converted ten patrol cars, yielding an estimated annual savings of at least $30k in fuel costs and displacing 30-36k gallons of gasoline.
The Iredell County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office has converted thirteen cruisers to autogas by combining grant funds with confiscated assets from drug busts.
The West Point, Mississippi, Police Department has converted eight fleet vehicles. They expect the clean-burning autogas engines to last longer than conventional gasoline engines, with estimated savings of $26k annually.
The Augusta County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office expects to cut fuels costs by $15k a year after converting eight cruisers to run on autogas.
The Alliance says that autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world, and the U.S. supply is 90 percent made in America. “Fleets running on autogas help reduce emissions, create green jobs, save taxpayer money and enhance U.S. energy security,” the Alliance says.
