Rhoads Energy, a Lancaster-based energy company, has been awarded a state grant to purchase two propane-powered trucks.
Rhoads was awarded $45,098 under Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program.
The grant, from the state Department of Environmental Protection, finances transportation projects aimed at reducing harmful emissions.
“Propane vehicles produce far fewer harmful pollutants than their diesel and gasoline counterparts,” Rhoads said in a release.
The grant will partially fund Rhoads’ purchase of two Ford F-750 7.3L trucks.
The vehicles are equipped with Roush CleanTech LPG fuel system kits, and Boston Steel, semi-rectangular DOT, 2,700-gallon tanks, Rhoads representatives said.
The trucks are expected be delivered in August, Rhoads said, and will then have the tanks and company branding outfitted before being deployed.
The total cost per truck is estimated at $191,494.
Rhoads Energy is one of only two businesses based in Lancaster County to receive a grant during this round of funding.
The company already operates numerous propane-powered vehicles as part of its fleet of service vans and delivery trucks, Rhoads said.
Rhoad’s current propane-powered fleet includes 11 Ford Transit service vans, as well as a Ford F-350 Supercab, a Ford F-150, a Ford E250 van and a Ford Explorer.
The most recent round of grants awarded more than $3.47 million to 27 recipients across the state.
The funds will enable recipients to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, build out alternative fuel infrastructure, cut costs, and improve air quality in 17 counties across Pennsylvania, Rhoads said.
“We’re pleased to partner with the state to help bring healthier air and greener solutions to our area,” said Michael DeBerdine, CEO of Rhoads Energy. “We hope this grant will encourage energy users in our market to explore propane as an economical, domestically produced alternative fuel.”
DeBerdine said propane vehicles are quieter, cleaner, and less expensive to operate than those running on diesel.
In addition to operating Rhoads-owned propane vehicles, the company also supplies the fuel for more than 250 propane-powered school buses in the region.
Rhoads Energy offers propane sales and service to residential, agricultural, and commercial customers in southcentral Pennsylvania, including Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties, as well as Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Cumberland, and Dauphin counties and Cecil and Hartford counties in Maryland.