Winter is officially here, and for fleet managers, this can bring additional operational challenges that come with ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Some vehicles, like those that run on propane autogas, have distinct advantages in the wintertime compared to those powered by other energy sources.
1. Propane Autogas Doesn’t Gel in Cold Temperatures
A significant concern when it comes to cold weather and fuel performance is the risk of fuel gelling. Diesel can thicken and turn into a gel-like substance, which can clog fuel lines and filters, resulting in engine failure, increased maintenance costs, and extended downtime. To mitigate these issues, fleet managers may need to designate a line item within their annual budget to purchase fuel conditioners.
Propane autogas doesn’t freeze until -306 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it won’t gel like diesel fuel. Fleet owners operating in freezing temperatures across the U.S. regularly report their propane autogas engines start smoothly without issue.
2. Quicker Engine Warm-Up Times
Another common cold weather issue for any vehicle is the need for extra time to warm up the engine. In cold temperatures, many diesel engines need to use an engine block heater to keep the engine warm. Diesel engines will also often need to idle for several minutes before reaching optimal operating conditions, which wastes fuel, puts unnecessary wear on the engine, and adds harmful emissions into the air. Additionally, fleet owners may have to hire cold-start crews to start the engines with enough time to warm up before routes begin.
Propane autogas vehicles, however, start up at the turn of the key in the cold and tend to warm up faster than their gasoline and diesel counterparts, eliminating any cold-start issues. Today’s propane autogas engines also utilize a liquid injection system that performs well in cold temperatures, adding another layer of reliability fleet owners can count on.
3. Lower Emissions in Cold Weather
As fleet owners continue to face emissions regulations, it’s more important than ever to consider how cold weather idling contributes to poor air quality. Because diesel engines idle to warm up and work harder to stay warm, they consume more fuel and produce more emissions before they even start moving.
Propane autogas offers a cleaner alternative. Propane autogas engines are 90 percent cleaner than the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and produce near-zero particulate matter as well as up to 96% fewer nitrogen oxides (NOx) than diesel engines.
Propane autogas’ ability to warm quickly in cold weather, combined with its low-emissions profile, makes it an ideal choice for fleet operators looking to reduce their carbon footprint year-round.
For fleet owners, propane autogas offers an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels that can keep vehicles running smoothly through even the coldest months. For more information, visit propane.com/fleet-vehicles.
Tucker Perkins is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at tucker.perkins@propane.com.
