propane autogas

Fuel price fluctuation? It depends on the fuel.

April 18, 2019
While the diesel landscape is in flux, the U.S.'s abundance of propane means price stability for autogas.

When you grocery shop, you plainly see the price of items. And you feel certain those prices won’t change before you get to the register.

What if that wasn’t the case? What if you went to the store and tossed a bag of chips and a gallon of milk into your basket, only to discover that they rang up at twice the price you expected? It would most likely be your last trip to that store, especially if your budget was tight.

Uncertainty when it comes to costs always feels unsettling, whether you’re buying bread or buses.

A look ahead

At this year’s NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, one trend that emerged is the continued worry for fleet decision-makers about the unpredictability of diesel prices. The diesel landscape is in flux: In January 2020 for instance, the marine industry will be forced to reduce the sulfur content of the diesel fuel ships consume. At that point, ocean-going vessels will draw from the same supply of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) that our on-road fleets use. The Energy Information Administration’s short-term energy outlook warns this change will put pressure on diesel costs and add more uncertainty to the diesel fuel market.   

These uncertainties underscore the importance of relying on a domestically produced fuel. More than 90% of the propane autogas supply in the U.S. is produced within our country. An additional 7% comes from Canada. Almost 75% of the propane used nationwide comes from natural gas refining, and the remaining from petroleum refining. Our nation has so much propane that we are the world’s largest exporter, exporting 905,000 barrels a day in 2017. The abundance of propane means price stability.

Fleet buy-in

At the Work Truck Show, it was clear the message about propane autogas vehicles’ reduced complexity, decreased emissions and lower total cost of ownership is resonating with current and future customers.

By choosing American-made propane autogas, you can avoid the uncertainty of diesel pricing. And your propane fleet vehicles will be helping our nation’s energy security goals, reducing harmful emissions and reaping the benefits of lowered cost per mile.  

About the Author

Joe Thompson | Group President, Roush Products Group

Joe Thompson is group president of Roush Products Group, working within the corporate structure of Roush and overseeing ROUSH CleanTech and ROUSH Performance Products. He is a member of the Roush Enterprise Steering Committee. Thompson has worked with Roush since 1996.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

What challenges are top of mind for fleet professionals in 2025? Get exclusive insights from the 2025 Fleet Trends Survey and discover where the industry is headed next.
The most successful fleets accomplish more than delivering freight. To accomplish this, fleets need a fuel that’s reliable, more economical and more sustainable. That fuel is ...
Are your KPIs driving real fleet improvement? Learn how to set smarter, data-driven benchmarks, track success like top-performing fleets, and apply proven strategies to optimize...
Learn how eets can enhance truck utilization and minimize safety incidents using business intelligence and AI. Delve into innovative practices, technology integration and real...