The City of Newport News is working to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by converting city vehicles to bi-fuel. Since the first City vehicle was converted in 2011, the City has saved $72,283 on fuel expenses and reduced over 206 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2010, the Newport News Vehicle and Equipment Services Department was selected as a grant recipient for the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program. The grant funded the conversion of 22 City of Newport News vehicles to ‘bi-fuel’ vehicles that enabled them to run on both propane Autogas and gasoline.

Currently, the City has 28 bi-fuel vehicles. Two conversions were recently purchased outright with the expectation of a five to six year return on investment. Another grant opportunity has been released and the City is in the process of exploring additional vehicle conversions. While running on propane the vehicles help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, petroleum consumption, and fuel expenses. The Department of Energy states that: “Propane is a well-established domestically available, clean burning fuel. Using propane as a vehicle fuel would increase energy security, provide convenience and performance benefits, and improve public health and the environment.”