GEORGETOWN, TX - CleanFUEL USA announced the debut of its latest liquid propane injection (LPI) system for the General Motors 6.0L engine. The new engine system will be available the first quarter of 2010 and the company is now taking orders to meet the increased demand for greener fleet vehicles, as the Department of Energy (DOE) starts to award stimulus funds this December.

Propane projects were one of the largest beneficiaries of alternative fuel grants given under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), securing $33.5 million. CleanFUEL USA was awarded $12.9 million from the DOE to establish 186 state-of-the-art propane refueling stations in major cities across the U.S. The first station will be located in Houston.  

"Alternative-fuel vehicle projects provisioned by the DOE are helping to propel the propane industry into a new phase, while CleanFUEL USA's new engine system provides a clean, high-performance option to make greener fleets a reality," said Brian Feehan, vice president of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

The new 6.0L propane engine system is an OEM replacement for new gasoline-powered engines, and is designed to convert light-duty fleets, such as passenger vans, shuttle buses, walk-in vans, and utility and service vehicles to operate on propane. CleanFUEL USA's advanced LPI technology provides the same horsepower, torque and performance as gasoline-powered engines, yet produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. When the 6.0L is made generally available early next year, it will be the first dedicated, GM light-duty propane engine to be EPA and CARB (California Air Resources Board) certified. Systems are available through CleanFUEL USA Master Dealers and Preferred Installers.

"We've seen an increased interest in propane-powered vehicles as many of our customers look for greener and more cost-effective fleet transportation options," said Chris Weiss, vice president of engineering at Knapheide Manufacturing. "The CleanFUEL USA 6.0L LPI system is an alternative-fuel solution to address these growing demands, and its innovative design is specially optimized for increased engine efficiency that can double engine life and significantly reduce maintenance costs for our customers."