COLUMBUS, OH - The Port Columbus International Airport, Clean Fuels Ohio together with Alliance AutoGas and Columbus Yellow Cab showcased the latest green fleet vehicles to hit Ohio roads on June 24. The event included a press conference and 'ride n' drive' featuring taxis, airport shuttles, school buses and an ambulance - all powered by propane AutoGas.

A state-wide energy non-profit (Clean Cities Coalition), Clean Fuels Ohio collaborated with the Department of Energy and 22 Ohio businesses and organizations to fund deployment of approximately 300 alternative fuel vehicles and 15 refueling stations over the next two years, through the Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership (OATP).

More than 60 of the vehicles deployed through the OATP will run on AutoGas; nearly 40 of those vehicles will be Alliance AutoGas converted taxicabs. Alliance will also provide on-site AutoGas refueling stations for these green fleets.

"The merits of converting our taxis to run on AutoGas are numerous," says Columbus Yellow Cab President Jeff Kates. "Beyond the fuel costs savings we can now pass on to our drivers - we are committed to doing our part to clean up Ohio's air and to support domestic interests with an American-made fuel" (AutoGas is 90 percent domestically produced).  "Furthermore," continues Kates, "going green with AutoGas makes business sense - it's what customers want to see - corporate responsibility."

Alliance AutoGas offers a comprehensive clean fueling solution from vehicle conversion equipment and labor to infrastructure installation and fueling.  "Alliance AutoGas operates on the motto don't change the vehicle, change the fuel," says Alliance representative Steve McCoy.  Alliance AutoGas prides itself on offering an economical alternative fuel solution through which fleets can convert their existing vehicles to run on AutoGas.  Vehicle conversion with Alliance AutoGas drastically reduces the incremental costs typically associated with jumpstarting a green fleet program.  Alliance also provides on-site fueling at no upfront cost to fleets converting their vehicles.

"Working with Alliance AutoGas is a natural fit for us," said Sam Spofforth, executive director at Clean Fuels Ohio.  "One of the key components in stewarding deployment of grant funds is taking each dollar as far as it will go - with Alliance and its partner network, we know we can count on quality and the overarching benefits of AutoGas - but we are also making a sound economic decision; we are getting a good deal."

 "We are thrilled to be partnering with Clean Fuels Ohio and the fleets of Columbus Yellow Cab and Ace Taxi to help launch this historic program," Alliance AutoGas President Stuart Weidie stated. "At the end of the day, the citizens of Ohio will be the true beneficiaries of this growth in clean fueling, and we can all feel good about that."

Alliance AutoGas

Founded by Blossman Gas (the nation's largest independent propane retailer) and American Alternative Fuel, Alliance provides a turn-key solution that has fleet managers across the country committing to use clean, domestically produced AutoGas. www.allianceautogas.com.