With concerns about energy reliability growing nationwide, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is marking National Propane Day by encouraging fleet owners to consider propane autogas as a reliable, on-site fuel solution that can help maintain operations during power outages or severe weather.

Observed on Oct. 7, this year’s National Propane Day theme, Prepare with Propane, highlights propane autogas’s dependability. A recent U.S. Department of Energy report warned that blackouts in the United States could increase 100-fold by 2030 as the electric grid struggles with rising demand. For fleets tied to a single energy source, the difference could mean keeping critical vehicles on the road, ensuring student transportation, or delivering essential goods.

Why Should Fleets Choose Propane?

Unlike electricity, propane autogas is stored on site, does not degrade, and isn’t dependent on the power grid for distribution, making it available even during widespread outages.

“As someone who spent years managing school transportation, I understand firsthand how critical it is to keep vehicles moving,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “When a fleet goes down, everything stops. Propane autogas gives fleet owners a level of control that other energy sources can’t. It’s dependable, affordable, and always ready no matter what’s happening with the grid.”

Currently, more than 60,000 propane autogas vehicles operate across the U.S. in transit, delivery, emergency response, utilities, and more. The fuel reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 96% compared to diesel, while offering lower fuel and maintenance costs, improved air quality, and greater uptime.

Propane is also helping electric fleets remain resilient with propane-powered EV charging systems. These off-grid charging solutions, powered by propane generators and sometimes paired with wind or solar, can be installed in remote areas, depots, or disaster zones where permanent infrastructure is unavailable.

Celebrating National Propane Day

Now in its fourth year, National Propane Day also recognizes propane professionals, from bobtail delivery drivers to autogas service technicians, who help keep vehicles operating safely and reliably.

“National Propane Day is a celebration of them as much as it is of propane,” Stutheit added. “We rely on these professionals to keep clean, reliable transportation running every day.”

For more information on propane-powered fleet solutions, visit propane.com/fleet-vehicles