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Sunday, July 27, 2014
NEW Westport EPA & CARB Certified CNG Transit Van & Cutaway
Monday, July 21, 2014
July Question of the Month
Question of the Month: During the winter of 2013-2014, propane shortages and price spikes were widely publicized by news media, and some fleets reported difficulty getting propane for their vehicles. What really happened and what steps can propane fleets take to protect themselves from similar issues in the future?
Answer: Several factors contributed to the recent winter supply constraints and increased propane prices, including record low temperatures around the country (the 2013-2014 winter was almost 30% colder than the previous winter), increased rain fall requiring additional propane supply for crop drying, pipeline outages (the Midwest Cochin pipeline shut down for three weeks in December 2013), Canadian supply constraints, and increased exports leading to reduced propane reserves. It is important to note, however, that while the demand for propane used to heat homes in colder months fluctuates, fleet demand for propane remains stable throughout the year. As a result, propane suppliers are generally willing to offer longer term fuel contracts to fleets at prices that do not vary during the winter. But fleet customers need to plan ahead and negotiate these agreements in advance. Don’t wait until the coldest day of the year to start asking questions.
Fleets should develop and maintain a long-term fuel contract based on projected consumption with their local propane marketer or fueling station operator. These contracts can provide a reasonably steady price for propane year-round, regardless of temperature fluctuations and other issues. However, fleets that fuel their vehicles at retail locations where there is no contractual relationship can expect to pay the current market price, which may be equal to or higher than gasoline during peak use periods. As such, the propane price spikes reported in the winter of 2013-2014 primarily affected fleets and drivers without fuel contracts.
While some fleets with fuel contracts also faced supply limitations and price increases this winter, these incidences may have occurred as a result of other circumstances. For instance, some pricing contracts are set up to fluctuate based on a floating commodity price, or they might be indexed to automatically track gasoline or diesel prices. In addition, state fleets may be subject to certain fueling restrictions if the governor addresses energy supply issues through executive action. The prolonged severe weather this past winter resulted in several regions declaring official states of emergency. Similarly, fleets with bi-fuel vehicles, which provide the option to fuel with gasoline, may be subject to caveats during emergency periods that would not affect fleets with dedicated propane vehicles. To avoid unwanted disruptions in propane supply and price spikes, fleet administrators should closely review current and future fuel contracts and discuss various scenarios with their propane marketer to ensure that the contract terms match up with the fleet’s needs and expectations.
Working with Propane Marketers
Local propane marketers are present in most communities across the United States and can provide expertise and assistance in building fueling stations and deploying vehicles. Additionally, many marketers offer attractive lease options for fuel storage tanks, pumps, and dispensing equipment in return for a multi-year fuel supply contract. The cost of this equipment can be paid back over time through a shared savings or performance contracting agreement, virtually eliminating up-front costs to the fleet operator.
The cost to purchase and install propane fueling infrastructure can be significant depending on the fleet’s choice of refueling options; however, fuel contracts can greatly reduce the financial burden. In most cases, the fleet is only responsible for the cost of infrastructure that cannot be removed from the site when the fuel contract is over, such as the electricity line or the concrete pad for the storage tank.
Current and Future Propane Supply
While the issues last winter raised concerns, it is important to note that the supply of propane in the United States is on the rise. Propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. In recent years, as natural gas production levels in the United States have increased, so has the propane supply from these operations. Between 2007 and 2013, the percentage of the U.S. propane supply produced from North American resources increased from 76% to 92%. As such, propane is not subject to the same types of energy security risks as petroleum based fuels that depend on foreign oil supplies face.
For more information on propane production and distribution, pricing, supply, and infrastructure, you can visit the following websites:
- Alternative Fuels Data Center Propane page (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propane.html)
- 2013 Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) Propane Market Outlook (http://www.propanecouncil.org/uploadedFiles/Council/Industry_Resources/PERC_MarketOutlook_2013.pdf)
- PERC On-Road Fleets Directory (http://www.propane.com/on-road-fleets/) and January 30, 2014 press release on propane supply and distribution (http://www.propanecouncil.org/PressReleases.aspx?id=1654&pressreleaseId=13495).
Friday, July 18, 2014
CNG Expiring Tanks and Safety
The mission of the Utah
Clean Cities Coalition is to advance the energy, economic and environmental
security of the United States by supporting local decisions to adopt practices
that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector.
With the mission statement in mind, Utah Clean Cities
strives to promote and educate the public and transportation sectors on petroleum
reduction. Using alternative fuels for vehicles is excellent, but the coalition
would like to further educate those with CNG vehicles.
Every CNG tank has a label that states “DO NOT USE AFTER
(expiration date).” Owners of CNG vehicles must keep the expiration date in
mind as it is their responsibility to have the cylinder replaced at the end of
its life. If the tank is not replaced after its expiration date, there is a
high risk of ruptures. CNG tanks’ pressure ranges from 3,000 to 3,600 psi. With
such a high pressure, any damage is highly unsafe.
There are several vehicles with CNG tanks that are expired.
Below is a list of vehicles that have expired tanks and should be replaced.
Dodge
Dodge full-sized vans started as CNG in 1992 and mini-vans began
in 1994. The production of these CNG vehicles was terminated in 1997 and 1998.
All Dodge vans that were
factory equipped have tanks that have passed the expiration date.
Ford
Ford CNG passenger cars came to market in 1993 and continued
through 2002. At this time, all Ford CNG Crown Victoria, Contour and pickup
trucks that were factory equipped prior to 1999 have expired CNG cylinders.
Honda
All CNG Honda Civics manufactured in 1998 and early 1999 are also
on the expired CNG tank list.
If your vehicle is listed above, you need to see a certified
tank inspector immediately. Certified tank inspectors will be able to inspect
your CNG tank and properly drill holes for end of life treatment. Certified
tank inspectors will also be able to replace your expired CNG tank with a new
one.
Below are certified tank inspectors Utah Clean Cities recommends:
To contact an
inspector, click on their name.
Additionally, it is easy to forget about the basics and it is
always important to remember safety. Click here for a quick video to refresh
on safety precautions for manufacturing, installation, inspection, and end of
life treatment for natural gas cylinders.
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