Ga. Agency Converts 25 Patrol Cars to Propane Autogas

The Sandy Springs (Ga.) Police Department has converted 25 of its Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers to run on propane autogas. The move will save the department more than $11,000 in fuel costs and will displace nearly 10 tons of greenhouse gas emissions over a period of three months, according to Alliance Autogas.

"The city of Sandy Springs needed a reliable fuel source in case of natural disasters, and propane autogas offers the most viable combination of an American-made clean fuel that also helps reduce our fuel budget," said Capt. Bart Humble.

Humble had originally researched alternative-fuel vehicles while working as a lieutenant commander for the Department of Homeland Security.

"Because of the rising cost of gasoline, our fleet fuel costs nearly doubled in six years. Now, we're saving $1.70 per gallon or more filling up our patrol cars with autogas," he said.

Alliance AutoGas is providing the vehicle conversions and fueling for a total of 65 cruisers. Funding for the project is from the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program.

The Mobile (Ala.) Police Department also recently converted its police cruisers to run on propane autogas.