DIRECTV Drives Gas Reductions, Plans to Expand Propane Autogas Fleet
DIRECTV to increase its existing Ford fleet equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2013) — DIRECTV, one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services, is becoming a frontrunner in alternative fuel adoption with plans to expand its propane autogas fueled fleet. The company currently operates 77 ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-250 propane autogas vans and will increase that number over the next year.
DIRECTV will display a propane autogas vehicle at the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center today through Thursday in the ROUSH CleanTech booth No. 419.
After comparing alternative fuel options, DIRECTV chose propane autogas due to its low cost and accessibility of fuel; vehicle return on investment; domestic nature of the fuel source and vehicle supply chain; and accessibility to high occupancy vehicle lanes.
“The addition of more propane autogas fueled vehicles to the DIRECTV fleet strengthens our commitment to reducing the company’s overall gasoline usage,” said Brandon Morris, director of Fleet Services for DIRECTV. “We have learned a lot from analyzing our current propane fleet, and the benefits we are seeing from using propane as an alternative to gasoline include the lower cost of propane, ease of implementation, distribution network, and the high quality conversion kit produced by ROUSH CleanTech.”
By using propane autogas, DIRECTV installers and service technicians in Southern California can take advantage of the largest public refueling network of any alternative fuel in the nation.Since its propane autogas vehicle deployment in November 2011, DIRECTV has reduced gasoline consumption by 75,000 gallons and saved nearly 50 percent on a cost per gallon basis compared to gasoline.
“For over a year and a half, DIRECTV’s service vans fueled by reliable, cost-competitive propane autogas have met the company’s goals — to cut back on high-priced gasoline with the use of a domestic, cleaner fuel solution,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “With DIRECTV’s plan to increase the size of its propane autogas fleet, they’ll experience even greater cost-savings with this alternative fuel technology and further strengthen their position as a leader in alternative fuel initiatives.”
As a Tier 1 supplier and Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech’s propane autogas vehicles retain the same quality Ford performance characteristics, such as horsepower, torque and towing. The vehicles also meet Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board certification requirements.
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About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 35 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its over 20 million customers access to more than 190 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com
About ROUSH CleanTech
ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of alternative fuel vehicle technology, is a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia, Mich. ROUSH CleanTech designs, engineers, manufactures and installs propane autogas fuel system technology for light- and medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles, and Type A and Type C Blue Bird school buses. As a Ford QVM-certified alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech delivers economical, clean and domestically produced fueling options for fleets across the country. Learn more at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.
