CleanFUEL North America, Inc. signed a distribution agreement with IMPCO Technologies, Inc. a subsidiary of Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc., a manufacturer of engine components that converts vehicles to operate on clean gaseous fuels, such as propane.  Under the agreement, it will distribute IMPCO’s bi-fuel Sequent system, a dual-propane and gasoline fuel system certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for conversions of light duty General Motors and Ford vehicles to run on propane.   

CleanFUEL USA will install IMPCO systems and provide vehicle service and support through its partners.   

By adding IMPCO’s bi-fuel system to its product-line, CleanFUEL USA offers a complete alternative fuel solution for fleet managers, including: EPA-certified propane/gasoline conversion kits for existing vehicles, propane refueling infrastructure equipment, fleet management solutions and advanced liquid propane injection engines for OEM vehicles that meet 2010 emissions standards.

“The U.S. propane industry has historically been viewed to have infrastructure and accessibility challenges,” says Bob Myers, who serves on Propane Education Research Council’s (PERC) Research & Development Committee. “Partnerships like this make it feasible to address the industry’s distribution, installation and service/support gap for propane engines, broadening the potential for propane to become a widely utilized domestic fleet fuel.”

Propane is a clean burning fuel that can yield 87 percent less hydrocarbons and 50 percent fewer toxins than gasoline, and is more economical compared to petroleum-based options, roughly $1.50 to $2.00 less than gasoline/diesel per gallon.  Even with propane’s advantages, fleet managers need an integrated and cost-effective approach that addresses in-service vehicles in order to secure directorial support for converting an entire infrastructure to a new fuel.

“Propane is a viable fleet fuel that when fully utilized with today’s advanced technologies creates significant value for fleets,” says Curtis Donaldson, president and CEO of CleanFUEL USA. “With the price of gasoline and diesel creeping back up, we are making strategic moves to be ready when the demand for alternative fuels spikes. We are excited to be working with IMPCO Technologies, in addition to our fuel network partners such as ConocoPhillips, and are prepared to support the industry as it moves into a growth phase.”

Fuel Systems Solutions has over five million bi-fuel systems installed globally with its highest concentration of vehicles in European and Latin American countries.  The state-of-the-art design features a vapor sequential fuel injection system and analytic software designed to operate with a vehicle’s original onboard diagnostics (OBD) computer.  IMPCO’s bi-fuel system is a certified engine conversion for the following vehicles: the 2007 5.4L Ford F150; the 2008 and 2009 3.5L and 3.9L Chevrolet Impala; 4.8-liter Chevrolet G Van and GMC Savana; the 6.0-liter Chevrolet Silverado, Express, and G Van; 6.0-liter GMC Sierra and Savana; the 2009 5.3L Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; and 5.3L GMC Yukon and Sierra.

IMPCO Technologies is the world’s leading source of advanced alternative fuels systems technology and components for internal combustion engines. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supplies advanced products and systems to enable internal combustion engines to run on clean burning gaseous fuels such as natural gas, propane and biogas. These systems optimize efficiency and performance while reducing emissions. Headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., IMPCO has offices throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. IMPCO’s promise to the environment is demonstrated by its continued expansion of services and products around the world taking on the challenge to better the world through cleaner air technologies.

Founded in 1993, CleanFUEL USA is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas with administrative, engineering and sales offices in Michigan, California and Louisiana. CleanFUEL USA has international subsidiaries, including CleanFUEL India located in New Delhi and CleanFUEL Argentina in Buenos Aires. CleanFUEL USA is recognized as the leading manufacturer of certified and approved alternative fuel dispensing equipment for both propane and E85. The company distributes OEM and aftermarket propane engine fuel systems, fleet management network services, and associated technical support, training and fuel contract services.