Conversion saving Vestavia Hills on fuel costs

The City of Vestavia Hills recently converted 14 of its Ford Crown Victoria gasoline-powered police cars to propane Autogas bi-fuel vehicles.

As a result, the City has saved, on average, about $1.20 per gallon on fuel. Propane Autogas historically costs 30 to 40 percent less than gasoline, according to Mark Bentley, executive director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition.  For Vestavia Hills, the difference means an estimated annual fuel savings of $20,000 to $25,000.

Through fuel savings and the reduced maintenance costs inherent with propane use, the City’s investment should pay for itself and yield thousands of dollars worth of savings over the life of the vehicles, according to Bentley.

Since Vestavia Hills converted some commercial gasoline lawnmowers to propane, the savings will be realized on this equipment as well.

For more visit cleancities.energy.gov or AlabamaCleanFuels.org.

-Submitted by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition