Propane Autogas Geared for the Future

By Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech

I recently attended the World Propane Gas Association’s Innovation for Growth Summit in Washington, D.C. The meeting gathered industry leaders from around the globe to exchange ideas and discuss investment to drive innovation that will expand the use of this clean and versatile energy source.

Across the world, more than 27 million vehicles travel with propane autogas in their fuel tank. Yet, the impact of propane reaches everyone. In the United States, about 50 million households use propane for hot water, clothes dryers, back-up power generation and other energy needs. Businesses use propane forklifts and propane mowers. More than 1 million kids will ride on a propane school bus tomorrow morning. Worldwide, several billions of people depend on propane. In China, more than 50 percent of the country’s urban population cook with it daily. And, according to the WLPGA, the propane industry employs millions of people around the globe.

The impact of propane is wide-reaching. It was clear from my discussions at the summit that the propane industry is poised for the future and not resting on its successes over the past 100 years. Innovations in transportation fuels, such as renewable propane and DME / propane blends, will bring the carbon intensity value close to carbon neutral and ensure propane has a place in the new “low carbon” economy.

That’s been the motivation behind our company since its inception — to take harmful emissions to new lows in order to foster healthier communities. When fueled with renewable propane, our vehicles equipped with .02g NOx propane engines bring emission levels to near zero. And, we will continue to innovate and push the limits.

A continued focus on the decarbonization of our transportation system is a must, but we have to do it in a way that is fiscally responsible. Sustainable energy solutions, like renewable propane, provide the environmental and economic results while emerging tech, like battery electric and hydrogen, continue to mature.

To learn more about ROUSH CleanTech’s advanced clean transportation solutions, please visit ROUSHcleantech.com.

Todd Mouw is president of ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of advanced clean vehicle technology. Mouw has more than two decades of experience in the automotive and hightech industries. As former president of the NTEA Green Truck Association, Mouw helped set standards in the green trucking industry.