The City of Lake Charles has purchased two new Ford E-450 propane fueled cutaway Transit buses, adding to its growing fleet of propane-powered motor vehicles including pickup trucks, forklifts, mowers and buses.

Maintenance costs savings as well as reduced emissions are the primary motivators for adding alternative fuel-powered vehicles. Propane mower carbon monoxide emissions are approximately 40 percent less than gasoline mowers. 

"What we have seen internally and what studies have shown is that the maintenance costs on propane vehicles over time is a lot less than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter.

The City of Lake Charles has in its current inventory 34 ZTR propane riding mowers, three propane-powered F250 ¾ ton trucks (converted), and four forklifts that operate on propane. A propane filling station was added at the public works yard in 2013.

Total propane usage in 2016 by the City was 12,750 gallons. Based on this usage, Green House Gas (GHG) emissions reduced for the year was roughly 23,704 pounds.                                           

The City of Lake Charles is a participant in Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission (IMCAL) Air Quality Task Force of Southwest Louisiana. Among other goals, the task force aims to encourage emission reductions in ozone attainment areas to help them to continue to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.