WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Police department adds propane fuel systems to squad cars
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LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN (WXOW)- As cities and towns across the nation look for ways to save money, some are looking to reduce their fuel costs.
Police and sheriff's departments around the country have installed hybrid propane fuel systems in their squad cars.
The La Crosse Police Department is making a switch when it comes to filling up their squad cars.
A total of 8 squad cars now run on propane.
The conversion allows the vehicles to run on traditional gasoline or propane gas.
"One switch up near the wheel and it can switch seamlessly back and forth. Car will start on gasoline until the engine temperature is a 105 degrees," said Lt. Bob Berndt, La Crosse Police Department.
The department is using money left over from last year's fuel budget.
Propane costs about a dollar less per gallon than gasoline.
Other departments have also made the switch. For example: a sheriff's department in Georgia.
Not only is propane saving the department money, it is also environmentally friendly.
Squad cars average about 35,000 miles per year.
The cars that rack up the most miles have propane tanks.
The department has 8 vehicles already with propane fuel systems and plan to do 2 more.
