Iredell Sheriff's Office adds propane vehicles to fleet | Environment

STATESVILLE (Iredell County Sheriff's Office) -  The Iredell County Sheriff's Office applied for funding to convert gasoline vehicles to be able to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and in August 2011 they completed their up-fitting project.

Now, 13 patrol vehicles in Iredell County can be fueled with propane auto gas.

Since 2006 the North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) has supported over 40 sub-award projects through the Clean Fuel Advanced Technologies (CFAT) project with support from the NC Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program.

With the goal of reducing transportation related emissions in NC counties that do not meet national air quality standards, funds were distributed for emissions reduction projects in the target areas.  

Project rep Captain Mike Phillips had the following to say about their highly successful project: "The overall conversion process is rather simple. We chose to train our existing vehicle service employees to do the installs and conversions...[which] will benefit us in the future when we decide to convert more vehicles." 

Each vehicle was rotated through their shop, taking 1-2 days to be up-fitted. All 13 patrol vehicles were completed within 2 weeks.

In addition to the emissions reductions from burning cleaner propane gas, Mike expects this project will see 50% cost savings on fuel, and they plan to convert at least 10 more vehicles in the next few months.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o />