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Fleet owners face important decisions every day, and one of the most critical is finding a fueling solution that balances cost, efficiency, and long-term viability. Their refueling option needs to be easy to implement and scalable for future growth without putting a financial strain on operations. There’s only one clean energy source that can check all these boxes: propane autogas.
Compared with other refueling infrastructure, propane autogas delivers a significantly lower cost of entry, a faster return on investment, and the flexibility to scale as a fleet expands. With fully scalable and customizable options, fleet owners of any size can easily integrate propane autogas into their operations without the delays and high costs associated with other fuels.
Scalable, Customizable, and Cost-Efficient for Any Fleet
Propane autogas infrastructure is designed to fit the needs of any fleet, regardless of if there’s one vehicle or several hundred. With multiple options to choose from, fleet owners can find the right solution.
Most fleet owners opt for private on-site refueling stations, which can be installed in a convenient location and scaled as the fleet grows. There are two types of private stations. A standard private station is for fleets under 50 vehicles and includes one dispenser and a 1,000- to 3,000-gallon tank. Fleets larger than 50 vehicles use advanced private stations with multiple dispensers and high-capacity tanks ranging from 1,190 to 30,000 gallons. In both cases, fleet owners can choose to lease or own the infrastructure. In some cases, propane suppliers may provide the infrastructure at little to no cost in exchange for a fuel contract.
While a fleet owner is in the process of building permanent infrastructure, or if they’re housing vehicles at a temporary site, they can work with their propane supplier to install temporary infrastructure at a convenient location. This includes a dispenser, pump, and fuel storage tank mounted on a mobile trailer.
If a fleet owner doesn’t have space for on-site refueling, they can choose a mobile refueling service where their propane supplier brings a bobtail to deliver fuel directly to vehicles. This option allows fleet managers to transition to propane autogas immediately without investing in permanent equipment. Fleet owners should check with their propane supplier to see if mobile refueling or temporary infrastructure options are available in their area.
In addition to private refueling infrastructure, there is a large network of public refueling stations available to provide an easy entry point for fleets. To see a list of available stations, visit propane.com/where-to-buy/find-refueling-station.
Tim Geibel, executive director of Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA), chose to install a private station when he transitioned to propane-powered paratransit vehicles after years of his drivers filling up at public gas stations. Within days of installation, he saw how the propane autogas station maximized efficiency while keeping costs low.
“We wanted a way to control the fueling process so it was safer, reduced downtime, and could be managed in-house,” Geibel said. “With propane, it’s faster, it’s cheaper, and it’s one of those benefits that it’s hard to put a dollar amount on.”
A Fraction of the Cost Compared with Other Fueling Infrastructure
Propane autogas stands out as one of the most cost-effective fuel infrastructure investments available to fleets. The cost to install propane autogas refueling infrastructure for up to 50 vehicles ranges up to $100,000 based on variables such as site prep, and whether a fleet owner chooses to own or lease the tank, dispensers, and pump from a propane supplier. Your local propane supplier will be able to advise on site prep, permitting, and the right infrastructure to meet your needs.
Other infrastructure options, like compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric (EV), require extensive infrastructure investments that balloon costs. For similar capacity infrastructure, CNG can cost up to $1.5 million, and EV infrastructure ranges up to $500,000. The affordability of propane autogas infrastructure allows fleet owners to reallocate funds toward the purchase of more vehicles, hiring more drivers, and improving operations without having to wait years to recoup startup costs.
Faster Return on Investment with Immediate Savings
One of the biggest benefits of propane autogas refueling infrastructure is how quickly a fleet owner can go from deciding to operate with propane autogas to having infrastructure on site. Other alternative fuel options like CNG or EV require significant infrastructure updates before they can start refueling or recharging. Many EV fleet owners report infrastructure timelines of three years or more before a station is fully functional. Propane autogas infrastructure can be installed and operational in just a few weeks.
“The transition to propane was extremely simple, and the fueling infrastructure process was completed in a very timely manner,” Geibel said. “We’re a success story with propane autogas, and we’re happy to share our story and help other communities reinvest their funding into operations instead of fueling costs.”
Explore Propane Autogas Refueling Solutions
With propane autogas refueling infrastructure, fleet owners can turn a critical decision into a hassle-free choice. With flexible infrastructure options, lower costs, and a faster return on investment, propane offers a practical solution that keeps fleets running smoothly. Find the right refueling option for your fleet at propane.com/refueling.
