Propane autogas refueling station opens in Sandston to support clean energy access

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A new propane autogas refueling station opened in Henrico County's Sandston area on Thursday, marking a major step for Virginia's clean transportation network and supporting clean energy access.

According to a Thursday, Oct. 9 press release, the new propane autogas refueling station near Richmond International Airport (RIC) will serve local fleets, including Henrico County Public Schools’ (HCPS) propane-powered school buses and Park ‘N Go’s airport shuttle vehicles -- the first to fuel at the new station.

The 1,990-gallon tank and dispenser aims to deliver a reliable and cost-effective refueling option, officials said.

The propane autogas vehicles reduce harmful emissions by up to 96% and cut operating costs by as much as 50% compared to diesel, according to research from the Richmond-based Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

“When communities invest in clean transportation like propane autogas, everyone benefits," said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC, in the release. "From the students riding on the buses, to the neighborhoods where these vehicles travel, to the business owners who save money. This is what the future of fleet transportation looks like, and as a Virginian, I am proud to see this investment in the Commonwealth.”

The station builds upon the district's effort to streamline student transportation at HCPS. The district reportedly added 10 propane autogas buses to the fleet.

“This new station gives us the tools to continue investing in our community’s air quality and our children’s health,” said Lenny Pritchard, chief of operations at HCPS, in the release. “By powering our school buses with propane instead of diesel, we’re reducing the emissions that students breathe every day. The addition of this refueling station makes it even easier to scale up our propane fleet and ensure clean transportation for our students for many years to come.”

Park 'N Go operates shuttle services for RIC travelers and has "embraced propane autogas as part of its strategy to reduce emissions and fuel costs while maintaining reliable service for customers," per the release.

During the Thursday event, vehicles and equipment displayed showed multiple propane autogas applications, which included a Henrico school bus, a Park ‘N Go shuttle van, a transit van from James Madison University, a converted vehicle from Colony Construction and more. Some vehicles demonstrated bi-fuel technology, which lets fleet owners operate vehicles on both propane gas and gasoline.

The new station is due to Alliance AutoGas, a propane supplier, with officials saying that refueling infrastructure will play an important role in ensuring fuel is accessible to local operators.

This news comes four years after the City of Petersburg became the first Virginia city to use renewable propane in its vehicle fleet back in September 2021.