The London Police Service - London, Ontario

Switch to alternative fuel saves tax dollars

A decision by the police force in London, Ontario, to convert much of its fleet to run on propane has saved taxpayers millions of dollars in fuel costs over the past 20 years.

About the fleet

In 1982, the London Police Service tested propane as an alternative fuel in two of the service's fleet vehicles. The results were so encouraging that today close to 65 percent of the vehicles in the fleet have been converted to run on propane. This includes 71 full-sized sedans and 20 trucks and vans.

According to Gar Irwin, who manages the London Police Service fleet, the remaining vehicles have not been converted because they either have low annual mileage or are used in surveillance projects and, as propane vehicles, cannot be adequately camouflaged. However, 41 unmarked cars run on a fuel blend of ethanol and gasoline.

Excellent vehicle performance and fuel-cost savings

Given the nature of police work, vehicle responsiveness and performance are important considerations. Mr. Irwin reports that the propane vehicles compare favourably with gasoline-powered vehicles in this regard.

Each year, the horsepower of all the vehicles converted to propane is tested and compared with the horsepower rating before conversion. At engine speeds of 3200 to 3300 revolutions per minute, the vehicles typically register about 110 wheel horsepower on propane, compared with 117 wheel horsepower on gasoline.

Vehicle acceleration is also tested from time to time. Tests from the 1990s show that a vehicle running on propane was only 0.5 seconds slower in going from 0 to 60 kilometres per hour at full throttle than an identical vehicle running on gasoline.

If the performance of the propane patrol vehicles is impressive, the fuel-cost savings are remarkable. Although the price spread between propane and gasoline has fluctuated in recent years, Mr. Irwin estimates that the London Police Service is still saving about $11,000 over the life of a typical vehicle by using propane rather than gasoline (see the cost comparison box). Over the past 20 years, total savings from the conversion program are estimated to be between $3 million and $4 million.

Simplified conversions

The Ford Motor Company's Crown Victoria Police Interceptor allows propane equipment to be installed without additional changes to the suspension and with minimal changes to the trunk cavity. The major components of the pro-pane conversion kit include an intake-mounted mixer, a converter, a lock-off valve and a 94-litre fuel tank (enough for a vehicle to complete a shift without being refuelled).

For the London police vehicles, the fuel tank is bolted to the chassis rails and located as close as possible to the rear axle. To permit this, the front half of the trunk cavity is removed, and 50 percent of the tank height is located within the trunk's lower cavity. A custom-fabricated and welded steel panel and skid plate are then placed over and under the tank. This results in considerable ground clearance and plenty of trunk space.

A typical conversion costs about $3,500 ($2,500 for the kit and an estimated $1,000 for labour). Conversions are done in-house by police auto-motive technicians.

Preventive maintenance is important

The London Police Service uses fleet maintenance software to keep track of which vehicles are due for service and when. Mr. Irwin identifies this strict preventive maintenance program as one of the keys to the success of the conversion program. He notes that propane has contributed to fewer oil changes and enhanced engine life. The extended engine life means the vehicles have high demand and value on the resale market. In fact, the police service has a waiting list for its used patrol vehicles, which are sold at auction, often to taxi companies.

All of the propane vehicles are stored in a heated underground garage that is equipped with special safety devices to detect fuel leaks. Garage attendants fuel and wash the vehicles and perform daily fluid level checks. The police service now contracts propane supply for the entire city (other selected city vehicles also run on propane), through an agreement that requires the supplier to install and maintain the dispensing equipment.

Safety and the environment

Since the conversion program began, the London Police Service has had no safety problems related to the use of propane fuel or equipment. Although the service's patrol vehicles have experienced collisions from all angles and some vehicles have been damaged beyond repair, the propane tanks, fuel lines and other conversion equipment have with-stood the abuse.

The London Police Service is proud to be setting an example by addressing environmental concerns related to gasoline consumption. By using an alternative transportation fuel, the service is also reducing the demand for crude oil and taking advantage of Canada's abundant propane resources.

"Our experience with propane has been a resounding success and has saved the Corporation of the City of London millions of dollars," concludes Mr. Irwin. "It's been a happy marriage for us, and we intend to continue to use propane for as long as it remains cost-effective."

Source : Office of Energy Efficiency - Natural Resources Canada

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