ARS/Rescue Rooter has deployed 21 new propane autogas cargo and cutaway vans in the Los Angeles and Houston areas in an effort to be more “green.” The conversions were executed by ROUSH CleanTech on Ford E-Series vans that have been emission approved in the state of California by the California Air Resources Board as well as nationally by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“After researching several fuel options, we decided that ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas systems offered the best solution for us,” said Mike Baessler, fleet director of ARS/Rescue Rooter. “We believe this investment will provide longevity to our fleet, in addition to reduced operating costs allowing us to pass the savings on to our customers.”

According to ROUSH, the propane autogas vans will require less maintenance costs while extending the life of the engines. The company also says that using propane offers a 30-40 percent reduction in fuel costs when compared to gasoline, reduces greenhouse gas emissions between 17-24 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by 20 percent and carbon monoxide by up to 60 percent.

“Propane autogas powered vehicles help reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil because 90 percent of U.S. propane supplies are domestic,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing at ROUSH CleanTech. “We’re proud to develop new technologies that use alternative fuel sources to help fleet operators, such as ARS/Rescue Rooter, meet their goals of reducing both the operating costs and carbon footprint of their fleet.”

At this time, ARS/Rescue Rooter plans to purchase 22 more propane autogas vehicles by the end of this year and an additional 100 by the end of 2012.