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As extreme weather events and growing energy demands strain the U.S. electric grid, it’s time for fleet owners and emergency planners to rethink their fuel strategies. During critical moments when energy is needed most, relying on an electric grid that can’t deliver could be a safety issue. While the “electrify everything” movement gained some momentum, the reality is that the grid can’t support such widespread demand. In fact, a new study from the U.S. Department of Energy warns that blackouts could increase by 100 times in 2030 if the U.S. continues to shutter reliable power sources and fails to add additional firm capacity
This uncertainty has created a critical need for resilient, grid-independent energy solutions, like propane autogas.
Whether fueling vehicles directly or powering off-grid EV charging stations, propane autogas gives transportation partners control, reliability, and peace of mind. It’s a clean energy source that doesn’t rely on an increasingly fragile electric grid, especially when it matters most.
Energy Independence to Keep Fleets Moving
For unmatched resiliency, propane autogas is the energy for fleet owners. As an entirely grid-independent solution — from powering vehicles to refueling them — propane autogas can keep fleets running regardless of whether the grid is knocked offline. Plus, during times of high demand that can lead to shortages for traditional fuels like diesel and gasoline, propane autogas proves itself as a flexible and cost-effective solution. That kind of reliability isn’t just convenient, it’s critical to public safety, especially when vehicles are transporting vulnerable populations or responding to emergencies.
This is especially true during hurricane season. When a storm is in the forecast, consumers rush to public stations to fuel up on gasoline or diesel, which can create a shortage for fleet owners that rely on these traditional fuels. Even if they can get fuel, they pay a premium at the pump. With propane autogas, drivers can easily fuel up ahead of the storm from private storage tanks and dispensers conveniently installed on their property. And since the U.S. produces 90 percent of the country’s domestic propane, fleet owners can feel confident that they’ll have energy when they need it.
After a storm and when the power is out is where propane autogas really shines. Unlike gasoline or diesel that require electricity to dispense fuel, or electric vehicles that rely on the grid to recharge, propane autogas can be dispensed independently from the grid. In the immediate aftermath of a hurricane, propane suppliers act as first responders to deliver propane to those who need it. For fleet owners that need to service an area away from their main refueling station, propane suppliers will place a refueling bobtail in areas of high need to ensure access to energy.
Several fleets in hurricane-prone areas trust propane autogas vehicles for their emergency response. In Florida, Broward County Transit (BCT) and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) have used propane autogas to reliably service the community during storms. BCT uses their propane autogas paratransit shuttles to execute evacuations. And PCSO uses their propane autogas law enforcement vehicles to respond to emergencies.
As a safe energy source with up to a 400-mile range before needing to refuel, propane autogas provides added peace of mind to fleet owners and drivers that rely on it to do their jobs. That’s why thousands of fleet owners across the country trust propane autogas as their energy of choice.
Grid-Free Charging for Electric Fleets
It may seem counterintuitive to consider using propane to charge electric fleets. But as more fleet owners transition to EVs, the need for off-grid charging has become a necessity. When the power goes out, EVs that depend solely on traditional grid infrastructure are left grounded. This can potentially put lives in danger during evacuations or storm recovery.
Propane-powered EV charging solves this problem. These portable units employ a propane-powered generator, and in some cases renewable sources like wind and solar, to create an independent microgrid that can charge vehicles. Following a hurricane or natural disaster, they can be rapidly deployed to recovery zones, emergency shelters, fleet depots, or anywhere power is needed. And because they don’t require permanent infrastructure investments, these units are significantly less expensive than traditional EV infrastructure.
While some fleet owners are turning to similar off-grid charging solutions that use a diesel generator, this option counteracts the main goal of EVs: to reduce emissions. For light commercial microgrid (<100kW generation system) applications, propane fuel cells lead to near zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, as well as a 24 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with diesel. Propane is also a shelf-stable energy that doesn’t degrade over time, unlike diesel which has a shelf life of just six to twelve months. Fleet owners can’t second guess if their off grid charging solution will work when they need it most. Investing in a propane-powered EV charging solution is a smart investment that gives EV fleet owners added assurance they’ll be able to respond if the grid goes down.
Don’t Wait for the Grid to Fail
These extreme weather situations and the warnings from the DOE paint a grim picture of what could happen to fleets if owners don’t take action soon to ensure their vehicles will remain resilient when faced with power outages. While grid reliability is uncertain, one thing is certain: propane offers a proven solution that’s ready now and into the future. Start protecting your fleet today by visiting percstates.wpenginepowered.com/fleet-vehicles to learn more.