June 23, 2008

8.1-Liter certified for propane; CleanFUEL USA wins 50-state approval of its modified GM engine to 2010 limits
Fleet and Fuels, By Rich Piellisch

CleanFuel USA is trumpeting 50-state certification, to 2010 emissions limits, of the 8.1-liter General Motors engine converted to dedicated LPG/propane operation using LPI - liquid propane injection-technology.

Conversion hardware - and critical software - was developed with full cooperation of GM.

“They let us into that black box,” says western regional manager Jon Van Bogart, allowing modification of PCM control module code for dedicated propane operation of the vehicle. CleanFuel USA programs the GM P-59 engine computer with a dedicated calibration specifically for propane for “a drop and replace propane conversion system.”

Trucks with the engine up to 33,000 pounds GVW are available through a network of approximately 43 Chevy and GMC “master dealers” who have agreed to represent CleanFuel USA. The propane engine is available in Bluebird school buses, too.

Assuming a diesel price of $4.52 per gallon, a school district that transports 40,000 students each day, logging 8 million miles annually, could save $1.9 million a year if the school operated half of its buses on propane instead of diesel, CleanFuel USA says, adding, “Qualifying fleets can take advantage of an additional $.50 federal tax credit per gallon of propane.”

The Georgetown, Texas-based company also makes propane (and E85) fueling dispensers.

Its CleanFUEL Distribution unit has just opened 12 E85 stations in Atlanta.