Conversion
What does it take to convert a truck that runs on gasoline into a truck that runs on propane?
Alliance AutoGas technicians showed just what it takes as they carried out an autogas conversion on a Ford F-750 truck at the 2018 NPGA Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo. The conversion took place on Saturday, April 7, in the Georgia World Congress Center Autogas Pavilion. The demonstration was designed to highlight the advantage of using Ford’s updated chassis, and the advantages of exchanging diesel for propane autogas, the Alliance says. The technicians used AAG “Plug and Play” technology to convert the upfitted propane bobtail recently purchased new by Conger LP Gas of Tifton, Georgia.
Conger LP Gas has been using autogas to fuel fleet vehicles for the last 15 years. Dan Richardson, Conger CEO, has a long history with autogas. “I grew up around propane,” Richardson says. “My dad worked in the propane industry since 1956 and always drove a propane-fueled truck. It was just common sense to me.” In addition to their own fleet vehicles that run on autogas, Conger LP Gas services autogas fueled school buses and farming vehicles.
Richardson agreed to partner with Alliance AutoGas for the conversion demonstration because he wants to help other propane marketers feel comfortable ordering and using this particular vehicle, along with setting the bar for using autogas to fuel industry fleets. Richardson says, “I feel like we need to support our own industry. If we aren’t using it, why are we trying to sell it to someone else?” Richardson says he was first attracted to the opportunity to convert an F-750 to autogas by Eddie Waldrop, fleet manager for Blossman Gas, Inc., which serves customers in 17 states across the Southeast. The Blossman Gas fleet currently has 41% of its vehicles fueled by autogas.
“If our customers see us using the fuel we are selling to them, we become more reliable experts,” Richardson says. “It will show, rather than tell, that we believe in the clean, cost-efficient fuel we provide. Additionally, the economics of conversion and using your own fuel make it the logical next step for any propane marketer.”
During the conversion, observers had an opportunity to discuss the upfitting process and benefits for the F-750 vehicle. In addition, experts from Blossman and AAG were available to tell more about the cost and efficiency benefits of using autogas over diesel for propane bobtail trucks.
Alliance AutoGas (AAG) www.allianceautogas.com is an international network providing a comprehensive propane autogas solution to medium and heavy-duty fleets. Alliance AutoGas is managed by its parent company Blossman Gas, Inc., a privately-owned propane company in the United States. Alliance AutoGas comprises more than 120 independent propane marketers and authorized conversion centers throughout North America. Alliance’s partners are aligned to provide propane and propane autogas for vehicle fleets and lawn care companies throughout North America. This group of partners is also engaged in offering EPA certified small engines systems through their small engines division, Alliance Small Engines.
Conger LP Gas, Inc. www.congerlpgas.com is an independently owned propane gas company, founded in 1989. In addition to its headquarters in Tifton, it has offices in Sylvester and Vidalia, Ga. Conger LP Gas serves more than 7,000 residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in more than 28 counties in south Georgia.
PICTURED: Conger LP Gas owner Dan Richardson, standing by the truck’s cab, looks on as Blossman Services President Ed Hoffman explains the conversion process. Photo by Stephen Bennett.
Correction: The vehicle that was converted ran on gasoline before it was converted to propane. An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the vehicle ran on diesel fuel before it was converted.
