CleanFUEL USA today announced a partnership with Fashion Glass & Mirror to transition their fleet to propane autogas. The company, which is converting 40 of their existing fleet vehicles to propane autogas, plans to convert all new vehicles as they are ordered. Fashion Glass will also install a publicly accessible propane autogas station at their Desoto location for all their refueling needs.
"As our company grows, so does our fleet and our need for effective, economical solutions," said Larry Jaynes, chairman and CEO of Fashion Glass & Mirror. "Propane autogas not only offers substantial savings, but allows us to run a cleaner fleet throughout Texas. CleanFUEL USA has made all facets of this transition easy – from the vehicle conversions, to infrastructure installation, to the fuel contract."
The project was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Energy Department's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Texas State Technical College serves as the lead grantee of the funds, which support the development of a national propane autogas refueling network, incentives to convert school buses and other fleet vehicles to alternative fuels, and training for green jobs. They estimate this initiative will help displace millions of gallons of petroleum annually and create jobs by training veterans, fleet mechanics and service technicians for work in the alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology industries.
As the nation's third most widely used transportation fuel behind gasoline and diesel, propane autogas has proven to be an economical and environmentally friendly fuel option. Propane autogas reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent and averages 30 to 40 percent less expensive per gallon when compared to gasoline. Worldwide, there are more than 52,000 propane autogas refueling stations and 17 million propane-powered vehicles.
"Fashion Glass is a perfect example of how autogas can work for fleets and companies of all sizes," said Curtis Donaldson, founder and CEO of CleanFUEL USA. "Through our turnkey solution, CleanFUEL USA provides a decrease in emissions and dependence on foreign oil — and most importantly, a quick and positive return on investment."
Fashion Glass employs over 200 people in four Texas locations, including a 50,000 square-foot corporate headquarters in DeSoto, a 65,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and showroom in Houston, as well as stores in the Dallas design district and New Braunfels, which covers the San Antonio and Austin areas.
CleanFUEL's installation partner, Fontaine Alternative Fuels, a division of Fontaine Modification Company, will perform the vehicle conversions. Fontaine Alternative Fuels operates a network of installation locations offering consistent high quality system installations to fleets and OEMs nationwide. For over 30 years, Fontaine has provided comprehensive post-production truck modification services for original equipment manufacturers, dealers and fleets.
