Franklin Park is considering modifying its fleet of village-owned vehicles to run on propane — a move designed to potentially save money on fuel.
“It’s a win-win for our residents, because there is no cost to the village,” said Joe Lauro, the village’s utilities commissioner. “We looked into this about three or four years back and we even applied for a grant. Back then, it would have cost the village between $70,000 and $100,000 on our end, even after the grant. Nowadays … there would be no cost out of the village.”
There are two types of propane vehicle types, dedicated and bi-fuel. Dedicated propane vehicles are designed to run strictly on propane, while bi-fuel vehicles have two separate fueling systems that allow them to switch between propane and gasoline.
Lauro said the bi-fuel option is the one the village should consider, as it allows the village’s fleet flexibility in the types of fuel it uses.
“With propane, we’re looking at 50 to 53 percent in savings, per gallon, even with gas being so cheap right now,” he said.
Franklin Park is considering contracting Schaumburg based Alternative Fuel Supply, LLC, convert its vehicles. Founded in 2013, the company supplies automotive-grade liquid propane fuel and propane fuel conversion kits, and specializes in converting large private or municipal fleets.
“Propane burns significantly cleaner than gasoline, with a decrease in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 70 percent,” says Chris Arwady, a sales manager at Alternative Fuel Supply.
However, Arwady added that in terms miles-per-gallon efficiency, propane engines are only 93 to 95 percent as efficient as gasoline, so some vehicles would lose some range. The cost of propane is currently lower than the cost of gasoline, though, and isn’t subject to the same kind of fluctuations found in gasoline pricing, said Arwady.
Alternative Fuel Supply’s services include the cost of the vehicle conversion kits and installation in the cost of fuel, so the village doesn’t pay any money up front for the conversion. Alternative Fuel Supply also provides the propane infrastructure for the village and reduces its cost over the charge of propane fuel the village buys from them, said Arwady. So, the village could theoretically pay nothing up front for a fueling station that could include a 1,000-gallon above-ground tank.
Trustee James Caporusso told the Village Board at their last meeting that neighboring Elmwood Park has already ordered five propane-fueled squad cars, one that was being delivered this month.
“Driving it, you wouldn’t know it was a propane car,” said Elmwood Park Deputy Police Chief Andrew Hock. “There’s no change in the way the vehicle drives.”
In Franklin Park, Lauro said the village had access to a test propane-vehicle and had the village’s fire department use it during the day shift and police used it during their night shift. Afterwards, village mechanics inspected it.
“We got a lot of good feedback and because it was so positive, I wanted to take it to the next step,” Lauro said.
That next step is an information meeting at the village, with representatives from Alternative Fuel Supply on scheduled for March 7 at 7 p.m.
Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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