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For fleet managers, downtime isn’t just measured in hours; it’s missed opportunities, rising costs, and unhappy customers. Every hour a vehicle is out of service impacts the bottom line. That’s why the availability of skilled maintenance technicians is a critical factor when adopting alternative fuel vehicles. For fleet owners considering propane autogas, that concern is quickly laid to rest.
Propane autogas isn’t just a smart choice for fuel savings and emissions reductions, it’s also a practical solution when it comes to service and support. Whether a fleet owner wants to train in-house technicians or outsource vehicle service to skilled mechanics, there are programs and service networks available to meet the needs of any fleet.
Support You Can Count On, Coast to Coast
One of the biggest myths about alternative fuel vehicles is that they are difficult to maintain or lack qualified service options. But with propane autogas, that’s not the case. Across North America, propane autogas engine manufacturers like Roush CleanTech and Alliance AutoGas have developed widespread technician networks and customized training programs to support fleets of all sizes. Whether a fleet handles maintenance in-house or works with a local service provider, expertise is readily available to keep vehicles operating reliably.
Roush CleanTech supports more than 750 service locations across the continent. Alliance AutoGas brings additional depth to this network, with 160 service and conversion centers spread across the United States. Each manufacturer adds new service locations regularly, expanding access for fleets in both urban and rural regions. With this kind of reach, fleet managers have peace of mind knowing their drivers are never too far from a technician who understands propane autogas systems.
Training That Meets You Where You Are
For fleet owners that prefer to handle vehicle maintenance in-house, there are plenty of training opportunities available to quickly get technicians up to speed. In many cases, these resources are easily accessible for free or at a low-cost.
Both Roush CleanTech and Alliance AutoGas provide training at their facilities or will travel on-site to work directly with your team. Each company also offers additional online resources and training courses, alongside dedicated customer service representatives that will work with technicians to answer any questions. Fleet owners can feel confident their team will have the training and knowledge they need.
“Alliance AutoGas is here when you need us. If a technician spends more than 15 minutes trying to figure out a problem with our autogas systems, then call us,” said Stephen Holland, vice president of engineering for Blossman Services. “We can get them straightened out remotely pretty quickly.”
“The Roush CleanTech team helps with everything from general customer support questions to troubleshooting and service-related questions, all the way through warranty claim processing,” said Mario Genovese, director of customer success at Roush CleanTech. “There’s always some apprehension in the beginning because it’s change. But once they see the benefits, it’s almost like you have to pry the propane bus or truck out of their hands.”
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) also has several resources for service technicians looking for training. In the Learning Center on Propane.com, there is a dedicated autogas curriculum which can be completed online and at your team’s own pace. Trade schools and technical training programs can also participate in PERC’s Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program. This initiative helps fund technician training to support the next generation of maintenance professionals, giving students real-world skills while strengthening the autogas technician pipeline.
Local Clean Cities Coalitions are another valuable resource. These groups work to advance clean transportation in their communities and can help fleets identify training opportunities and assist with finding local autogas service providers.
Simplified Maintenance for More Uptime
Beyond the availability of technicians, propane autogas also reduces the complexity of vehicle maintenance overall. If technicians are familiar with gasoline engines, they’ll be able to learn how to service propane autogas engines without issue. Most tools, diagnostic approaches, and repair procedures are familiar, making the learning curve short and manageable.
“It’s not a complicated system when it comes to both installation and upkeep,” Holland said. “It’s pretty simple to keep it going. Not a lot goes wrong with it, so there’s not a big list of items to pick from if you are experiencing a maintenance issue.”
Compared with diesel engines, propane autogas systems are also simpler to manage because it’s a clean energy source. They eliminate the need for aftertreatment emissions systems that include expensive components like diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). These additives not only add cost but also increase the potential for vehicle downtime when problems arise.
“The feedback we generally get is that the mechanics enjoy working on propane-powered vehicles a lot more than they do a diesel vehicle,” Genovese said. “There’s not a whole lot of work you have to do on the propane side. So you see the maintenance costs come down, and the fuel cost savings is there because propane is so much cheaper than gasoline and diesel.”
Propane autogas vehicles also offer cleaner combustion, which means fewer carbon deposits that could result in longer engine life. This translates to better uptime, reduced maintenance costs, and more predictable service schedules. That simplicity is a big win for fleet managers juggling logistics, driver schedules, and tight budgets.
Get Better Support Today
When considering propane autogas, fleet owners don’t need to worry about being able to service the vehicles. With a strong national network and a plethora of training programs, fleet owners can confidently maintain their vehicles with the same ease — and in some cases, more simplicity — than traditional fuels. From reduced downtime to lower overall maintenance costs, propane autogas delivers reliable support at every mile.
To learn more about technician training programs, service options, and how propane autogas can keep your fleet on the road, visit Propane.com/fleet-vehicles.