DeKalb County, Ga., has saved $563,000 over the past six years by using propane autogas for 75 Ford F-Series trucks and some off-road equipment.

The county integrated bi-fuel gasoline and propane autogas sedans and pickup trucks into its fleet in the 1990s in an effort to cut fuel costs, according to ROUSH CleanTech. The county achieved the fuel cost reduction since 2009.

"The county saw savings right away in both costs and environmental integrity," said Richard Miller, fleet service superintendent for the county.

The city purchased 75 ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-Series pickup trucks with dedicated propane-autogas systems. These trucks, still in service, are used for code enforcement and revenue collection, and by department supervisors and superintendents. They feature an in-bed tank system, which fleet staff chose for maximum vehicle range.

Miller said the trucks get the same miles per gallon as their gasoline and diesel counterparts.

The city pays about $3 per gallon for gasoline and about $1.50 for propane-autogas. The city installed fueling sites when they first purchased propane-autogas vehicles. Four sites have 1,000-gallon tank capability, while two have 2,000-gallon tank capability, Miller said.

A local Ford dealership handles all vehicle maintenance for the trucks.

Miller said the county will continue to integrate propane autogas vehicles into their fleet. Use of the propane-autogas trucks allows the county to reduce its carbon footprint by about 320,000 pounds of carbon per year.