Asheville, North Carolina has become the first paratransit program in the state to offer fleet managers AutoGas, or propane fuel. Today, the Buncombe County Commissioners Carol Peterson and Holly Jones, held an event for the local community to learn about the new alternative fuel initiative known as the Mountain Mobility’s AutoGas vehicle program.

“Mountain Mobility is so appreciative of all the people and organizations which helped to make this program possible, and would like to extend a special thanks to the French Broad River MPO and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for awarding the ARRA funds that subsidized this program,” said Denise Braine of Mountain Mobility.

The program was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and with the funds, Mountain Mobility has converted 10 vehicles to run on propane AutoGas. The event took place at German Motor Werks, the local AutoGas fueling station and vehicle conversion center.

“The conversions made possible through this program will mean that nearly a quarter of Mountain Mobility’s 42 fleet vehicles are now running on clean and cost effective AutoGas,” Commissioner Holly Jones, points out. “This kind of momentum is critical to driving continued sustainable development at the local and state levels.”

Steve Whaley of Alliance AutoGas noted that the Autogas conversion technology allows the vehicles to run on either propane or gas. He concluded, “It is exciting to have local, government-run organizations like Mountain Mobility setting the pace for alternative fuel development in their communities.”