Jefferson County has been using propane to fuel its vehicles for over 30 years, saving $120,000 per year in fuel costs. Propane costs less than $1 per gallon due to a 50 cent per gallon federal rebate. Vehicles that travel an average of 85,000 miles per year see payback on the $7,000-$8,500 propane system conversion cost within 8-10 months. While the county's propane program started in a makeshift way, technology improvements have made propane systems more reliable and easier to use.

1. JEFFERSON COUNTY
Power in Propane
For Over 30 Years

2. Minimal exterior modifications

3. MAIN reason for use = SAVINGS
$120,000
per year in
fuel
savings

4. 50¢ per gallon Federal
Alternate Fuel Rebate brings
cost for propane
to well under $1 per gallon.
Additional savings:
Reduced oil changes due to cleanliness of fuels.
Higher resale value – keeps engines looking new
due to lack of carbon build-up in the engine
compartment.

5.  Other benefits:
 GREEN – Burns clean
 Minimizes carbon footprint
 Performance is enhanced
 Mile per mile - gas vs. propane almost identical
 Reduced mechanic time
 Ease of fueling

6. Squads travel an
average of 85,000
miles per year and
are kept two to
three years.
Cost of system:
$7,000 to $8,500
Payback 8-10 months

7. Just remember, if it could have been done
wrong, it was done wrong.
Program was started on a shoestring with
no mechanic, a backyard tank, and no way
to tell when it was full or how full it was.
When in a high-speed chase, a block of ice
formed on the carburetor.
Due to technology enhancements we’ve
come a long way.

8.  Technology is much easier to work with,
much more dependable.
 It’s a safe fuel, tanks are 20 times
stronger than a gas tank and have
withstood 60-plus mile an hour impacts
with no leaks.
Special thanks to Wisconsin Clean Cities for all their
assistance and grant funding.