RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS |
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| ELIZABETH A. JONES Commissioner |
VICTOR G. CARRILLO Chairman |
MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS Commissioner |
| Contact: Ramona Nye | 512-463-4817 |
Railroad Commissioners Join Motorsports Legend Jack Roush to Urge Cities, Local Governments to Save Money with Alternative Fuel Vehicles
AUSTIN—The three commissioners of Texas’ chief energy agency—the Railroad Commission—joined Jack Roush, winning team owner of the 2009 Daytona 500, in calling for local government as well as business fleets in Texas to save money by using alternative fueled-propane vehicles.
On the eve of the opening of the NASCAR Nationwide Series in Texas, Roush and the Railroad Commission briefed fleet managers on ROUSH Performance’s F-150, 250 and 350 pickups powered by propane, a clean-burning alternative fuel that is available “right here, right now.”
“Choosing propane can make environmental and economic sense for Texas fleets, even with the lower gasoline prices we’re currently experiencing,” said Railroad Commission Chairman Victor G. Carrillo. “Today in Texas, propane costs approximately $1.15 per gallon for fleets that buy in bulk, and with an additional 50-cent per gallon federal excise tax credit, our Texas-produced propane is a great fuel deal. Further, owning a propane truck is made more affordable by a federal tax credit of up to $4,500 per truck.”
Commissioner Elizabeth A. Jones said, “A typical fleet can save more than $3,000 in fuel and operating costs in the first three years with each new propane F-250 or F350 truck they buy. And Texas has the most extensive propane refueling network in the nation, with more than 1,000 outlets offering propane motor fuel.”
Commissioner Michael L. Williams said, “The Commission has found that the ROUSH propane-fueled pickup we purchased has the same horsepower, torque and drivability as the conventionally fueled version. With a 450-mile range, ultra-low emissions and cost- savings over conventional fuels, fleets can save money and improve air quality at the same time.”
Jack Roush, chairman of ROUSH Enterprises and CEO& co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, said, “Texas leads the nation in pickup truck usage and can easily take the leadership role in terms of adopting propane as an alternate fuel. The interest we have for the ROUSH propane-powered vehicles in Texas already far surpasses that of any other state so far. We look forward to working with the fleets and municipalities of the Lone Star state to clean up the environment, lower their operating costs, and help reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil with a simple switch to propane-powered pickups and vans.”
The alternative fuel trucks will be available in two forms. Customers can choose either a complete ROUSH-assembled vehicle, or a conversion kit to retrofit existing 2008 F-150's, or 2009 through 2010 F-250's and F-350's. Both options carry the same three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
For more information about propane vehicles, and to calculate the savings for your fleet, go to www.propane.tx.gov.