Oswego Squad Cars to Use Alternative Fuel Source

Submitted by the Oswego Police Department

In an effort toward goals of cost savings as well as eco-friendly Village practices, the Oswego Police Department will begin using alternative fuels for squad cars. After several years of trial use and study, it was determined E85 fuel (an ethanol blend) was not a viable option as it costs more to operate and it reduced the performance of the vehicles. Instead, staff identified liquid propane as a viable alternative fuel.

Propane isn’t renewable, but it creates less pollution and carbon dioxide than gasoline, qualifying it as a clean fuel.

Propane-fueled law enforcement vehicles offer the following benefits:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and particulate emissions in comparison to fleets fueled by gasoline
• 20 percent reduction in nitrogen
• 60-70 percent reduction in carbon
• 96 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• Cost savings - Reduces fleet maintenance costs and increase engine life as there is less wear and carbon buildup on internal components
• No reduction in vehicle performance
• Support the use of domestically produced fuel, decreasing reliance on foreign imports
• Promote environmentally friendly fuel alternatives throughout the community

The Village is working with Alternative Fuel Supply (AFS) for the conversion units for the vehicles and a supply point. AFS is entering into a retail sales agreement with one of the local fuel providers to place a liquid propane fuel point at a publically accessible site. The Oswego Police Department has partnered with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office to share the fueling point in the area. This will be at no cost to either agency.

Oswego Police will be installing conversion units on the five newest patrol vehicles to start and will install them on replacement cars in the future.