RICHMOND, VA -- The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and Virginia Clean Cities (VCC) at James Madison University (JMU) are requesting proposals from Southeastern fleets interested in converting eligible gasoline vehicles to run on propane autogas. 

The application deadline is Friday, August 12, at 5 p.m. EDT.

Funding to cover the parts and labor for vehicle conversions will be provided under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. This is the second phase of funding availability under the program, which began in December 2009 and will continue through 2013.

Fleets in the following states are eligible to submit proposals: Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Washington D.C. Both public and private fleets may participate, but they must have a minimum of 10 eligible vehicles to convert. Vehicles should be of at least $5,800 in value and covered by current EPA certifications for propane autogas operation.

The program’s financial assistance supports the procurement of conversion equipment, labor costs associated with conversion, and refueling infrastructure needed for on-demand autogas refueling. The program also includes extensive training and marketing support, along with numerous outreach and educational opportunities.

The program uses the PRINS VSI propane autogas bi-fuel conversion system and certified technicians to perform all installations. Fueling infrastructure will be provided by Alliance AutoGas, and co-founding partner Blossman Gas will supply fleets with propane autogas fuel.

The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is a Virginia Clean Cities project partially funded by a Department of Energy-Clean Cities American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The grant was awarded to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University is the principal investigator.

Click here for information on eligible vehicles and application procedures. Questions can be directed to Jamison Walker with Virginia Clean Cities at jwalker@hrccc.org.