Green Manufacturer - July/August 2010

Fleet managers drive propane offerings at alternative-fuel vehicle conference

At the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference & Expo 2010 in Las Vegas in May, Roush Performance exhibited a 2010 Ford E-350® propane-fueled van that cuts carbon and particulate emissions while delivering the horsepower, torque, and towing capacity of the gasoline E-350.

The event, organized by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, kicked off with a presentation by T. Boone Pickens. Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota unveiled their latest alternative-fuel product offerings. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is a sponsor of the conference.

Brian Feehan, vice president of PERC, spoke during a session called “The Gas Is Always Greener: Propane Transportation Solutions.” Representatives from Roush Performance, Ferrellgas, Clean-Fuel USA, AmeriGas Propane, and A-Z Bus Sales also spoke about the use of propane as an engine fuel, covering propane infrastructure, available vehicles, safety, and environmental impact.

Business advocates of the U.S. wind market point to the lack of financing and the lack of a national energy policy as the top obstacles to growth, according to the 2010 U.S. Wind Industry Monitor. The opinion poll was conducted by Droege & Comp., Dallas, an international management consultancy offering an energy competency, and Gibbs & Soell, a New York-based independent global public relations firm with expertise in advanced manufacturing, energy, green-tech, and sustainable industries.

Nearly 60 professionals represent-
ing various enterprises serving the
wind industry participated in the poll.
Despite the ongoing challenges, most
respondents forecast growth for their
U.S. businesses in 2010 (69.6 per-
cent), 2011 (83.0 percent), and 2012
(84.6 percent).

Sales and marketing efforts (67.0 percent) were identified by participants as an “important” or “very important” strategic activity for 2010. More aggressive sales and marketing efforts within the U.S. will dominate strategies for most respondents. The most popular communications methods cited were e-mail promotions (71.7 percent) and editorial coverage in traditional news media ( 52. 8 percent), which are more conventional marketing and public relations techniques.