Sheriff's Fleet of Propane Cruisers Cuts Fuel & Emissions in Half

STATESVILLE, NC – A new report from the North Carolina Solar Center finds that the Iredell County Sheriff’s fleet in North Carolina is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 52 percent and will ultimately displace 296,400 gallons of gasoline with propane-autogas cruisers.

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office converted 13 Ford Crown Victoria patrol cars to bi-fuel autogas systems through Alliance AutoGas, with funding from both the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) program and Drug Interdiction Funds from the Sheriff’s Office, according to Alliance Autogas.

The propane-powered fleet vehicles will drive 40,000-45,000 miles per year, representing an annual displacement of around 2,850 gallons of gasoline per vehicle, for a total of 37,050 gallons of gasoline displaced annually. Each of the 13 vehicles has a service life of about eight years, which means the propane-autogas fleet will displace a total of approximately 296,400 gallons of gasoline, according to Alliance Autogas.

The report estimates the 13 propane-autogas vehicles reduce nitrogen oxides by 50 percent, carbon monoxide by 52 percent, particulate matter by 40 percent, and carbon dioxide by 14 percent compared to a gasoline fleet.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s fleet is experiencing 40-50 percent fuel savings, as well as reduced maintenance costs. Since the first 13 vehicles converted through the CFAT program, the fleet has added 16 additional propane-autogas cruisers, for a total of 29 propane-autogas fleet vehicles. The fleet aims to increase this number to 50 propane autogas vehicles within the next few years, according to Alliance Autogas.