AmeriPride Advances Alternative Fuels Program
After a successful alternative fuels pilot, AmeriPride Services is expanding its program to include additional propane autogas-fueled trucks.
AmeriPride is one of the largest textile rental and supply companies in North America. The company has been testing various alt fuels in its fleet for well over a year now — natural gas, propane autogas and electric.
In addition to the five ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-59 delivery trucks in Topeka, the uniform and linen company is adding 20 more in Northern California later this year.
“We’ve been extensively testing fuels and vehicles to find the right area and application that gives us the best environmental and economical benefits,” said Banny Allison, fleet services manager for AmeriPride. “Propane autogas reduces greenhouse gas emissions and has easy, cost-efficient fueling infrastructure. Because of our success in Kansas, we are implementing the same propane autogas vehicles in the Sacramento and Fresno areas.”
Each of AmeriPride’s propane autogas trucks will emit about 95,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime. Propane autogas is a low-carbon fuel that reduces greenhouse gases by up to 25 percent, carbon monoxide by up to 60 percent, nitrogen oxide by 20 percent and virtually eliminates particulate matter when compared to conventional fuels. The alternative fuel is a non-contaminant of soil, air and water.
To fuel its vehicles, AmeriPride installed a private autogas station with a 1,000-gallon tank at its Topeka facility. Currently, the company pays $1.55 per gallon for propane autogas that, historically, has cost up to 50 percent less than diesel.
AmeriPride has received recognition for its environmental initiatives. In 2014, it earned Clean Green certification for its production facilities and won a Top 50 Green Fleet award for its use of alternatively fueled vehicles.
