To help the fleets in picking the right fuel, this blog will describe the main differences between natural gas and propane.
Are you feeling the squeeze of surging costs for fuel? This is forcing fleet managers to reevaluate their current fuel choices. Because of new emissions rules, constrained budgets, and incentives for alternative fuels, picking between propane and natural gas is now more important than ever. All of these influence how fleet managers strategize their fleet fueling plans. Looking closely at costs with natural gas and propane shows how each fuel compares, but price is only one part of the picture. Performance on a daily basis, infrastructure, and emissions are other factors that need to be taken into account. To help the fleets in picking the right fuel, this blog will describe the main differences between natural gas and propane. Read on to learn more!
Propane
Propane is extracted and then purified during the natural gas processing and oil refining process and stored in the form of a liquid under moderate pressure. This makes it easy to refuel and transport. Its mobility also makes it perfect for light and medium-duty trucks, like forklifts, cooking, heating, school buses, delivery vans, and farm machinery. Due to a large supply network and refueling choices, the propane system is reliable and simple.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is turned into compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas, which is then used in vehicles. Compressed natural gas is kept in high-pressure tanks and is well-fitted with local fleets. While liquefied natural gas is refrigerated to a liquid that’s used in heavy-duty trucks that have much longer ranges. Storage requires either high-pressure tanks for compressed gas or very cold tanks for liquefied natural gas.
Market Volatility and Fuel Prices
The content of natural gas and propane doesn’t match, and thus, comparing their prices using the cost per gallon is nearly impossible. Propane is available by the gallon, and natural gas is available around an equivalent of diesel and gasoline gallons. Furthermore, propane is typically cheaper than gasoline and diesel, yet it’s got less energy, and therefore, cars consume more of it. Its price can also change a lot with oil markets and other seasonal demand.
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