NYSERDA AFV-FDP Light-Duty Propane Vehicle Fleet Operating Experience

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), under its Alternative Fuels for Vehicles Fleet Demonstration Program (AFV-FDP), established a demonstration of light-duty dedicated propane vehicles operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The fleet of five converted trucks began operation in 1993 with the cooperation of the New York Propane Gas Association, which provided the propane systems, and Texaco Research & Development which funded annual emissions testing. The vehicles accumulated 122,000 kilometers (76,000 miles) of operation on propane during the demonstration. Data were collected on fuel consumption, driveability, acceleration, maintenance, and emissions. This paper reports on the transition to propane fuel operations, the findings of the emissions tests, and the service and support experiences during the demonstration. Recent propane fuel system equipment developments are included and compared to the fuel system technology of the vehicles in this demonstration.