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Every year, millions of people hit the road to visit their favorite travel destinations, generating $2.6 trillion in economic output annually as of 2024. Behind the hotels, excursions, and restaurants, there’s a quieter — but equally as important — engine driving it all: public transportation. Whether guests are exploring a national park or visiting historic landmarks, reliable, efficient rides are essential to delivering positive experiences.
That’s why more paratransit fleet owners in the tourism sector are investing in propane autogas vehicles. It provides the range, clean emissions profile, and comfortable ride guests need without the fluctuations of traditional fuel costs or the downtime of electric vehicles. It’s already the trusted energy choice for many of the country’s most visited attractions and travel destinations.
Powering Summer Rides with Confidence
Reliability is critical when drivers are moving hundreds or thousands of guests a day through popular destinations. Across the country, propane autogas is allowing fleet owners to keep their schedules on track, even on the busiest days of the season.
Whether shuttling visitors through Acadia National Park on their Island Explorer buses, bringing tourists to the historic Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, driving guests around resorts like Big Cedar Lodge, or providing local paratransit services through Broward County, Florida’s breathtaking everglades, propane autogas keeps fleets moving thanks to reliable range, fast refueling, and increased uptime.
Many tourism fleet owners choose to operate EPA-certified bi-fuel systems. The vehicle runs primarily on propane autogas but includes a reserve tank of gasoline as an emergency backup. These vehicles provide flexibility and range that battery-electric options can’t match, especially when air conditioning or long routes put additional strain on an EV’s charge.
Fleet owners can also feel confident that propane autogas refueling infrastructure will meet their demands. Refueling solutions are customizable, scalable, and can be installed on site for added convenience. Unlike electric charging stations that can take years to develop and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, propane fueling stations are cost-effective and quick to install. Plus, when it’s time to refuel the bi-fuel vehicles, drivers can fill up in minutes, not hours like EVs.
Many fleet owners also find that switching to propane autogas helps keep vehicles out of the shop and on the road. Diesel vehicles require complex aftermarket emissions systems to meet compliance, and these added fluids and filters can often leave vehicles inoperable. Because propane autogas is a clean energy source, it doesn’t require these added components, meaning the potential for reduced downtime that allows drivers to stay on schedule.
A Better Experience for Riders and Drivers
Equally as important as providing a reliable ride, tourism fleet owners also need to offer their guests a safe and comfortable trip. Propane autogas helps with both areas by creating a more enjoyable environment with quieter engines and cleaner air.
Compared to diesel, propane autogas engines are significantly quieter, allowing drivers to better hear their surroundings and communicate with riders. This contributes to safer service, especially in busy pedestrian areas, while enhancing the comfort of guests riding between their destinations.
Propane autogas is also a clean energy source that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions that are known to exacerbate breathing issues like asthma and bronchitis. Today’s propane autogas engines are 90 percent cleaner than Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. For fleets that idle frequently — like those used in popular tourist locations for pickups and drop offs — this reduced emissions profile makes a measurable difference to provide cleaner air for riders and drivers.
Fuel Price Predictability
One of the biggest cost drains for fleet owners is their fuel budgets, and if they’re operating with a traditional fuel like gasoline or diesel, they’re likely facing seasonal fuel spikes just when tourism picks up. Once again, propane autogas offers a solution. Because more than 90 percent of the U.S. propane supply is produced domestically, fleet owners are more insulated from global trends that can impact fuel prices, leading to more consistency and affordability.
Most fleet owners report up to 50 percent savings on propane autogas fuel costs compared to gasoline or diesel. In many cases, a propane supplier will lease propane refueling infrastructure to a fleet owner for a mutually beneficial fuel contract that offers long-term predictability. These cost advantages are particularly beneficial for fleet owners that rely on fixed budgets where every dollar counts.
No matter where your tourism fleet is going, propane autogas delivers the performance, comfort, and cost efficiency needed to keep guests and businesses moving forward. Learn how you can bring these benefits to your fleet at percstates.wpenginepowered.com/fleet-vehicles.