Bermuda Gas claims to be the first company on the Island to convert its fleet to propane-injection powered vehicles.The firm invited Jeremy Stanford and Gary Shepherd of Stanford LP Gas Inc of Michigan over last week to install and train its staff on the systems.The pair, who have been in the business for almost 20 years, have already fitted kits to 10 of the vehicles with the applicable turbo engines, including bulk models, taking half a day to put in each one.The technology provides cost savings on fuel and reduced emissions and pollution. Each system costs about $1,000 to $3,000, but the savings that can be made outweigh the initial layout, according to the experts. Other selling points are that they are regarded as safe and easy to use.Judith Uddin, vice-president of administration and operations at Bermuda Gas, first came across the concept through networking, hearing nothing but good things about the propane injection system which can be used in diesel and gas engines and after sharing some statistics decided to bring in Messrs Stanford and Shepherd to implement them.“That really piqued my interest, especially for use in Bermuda, where you are using a cleaner burning gas with reduced emissions and the added bonus of cost savings,” she said.“By using it I can get twice as much for my buck than just running off diesel alone.“We ran a test and found that we could get six to eight miles per gallon.”The system works by a small injection of propane to the diesel which makes it run more efficiently.The technology has been available for more than 50 years and has been rolled out across Europe and the US, as well as the Cayman Islands - another small island application which has proved to be a big success.Applications for the systemrange from trucks, buses and taxis in New York, Maine, Texas and California to police cars in London, Ontario in Canada and Denver International Airport as governments push for cleaner emissions and set new standards. It has even been used in lawnmowers.Ms Uddin said that the new systems had been met with universal approval from the truck drivers, especially when climbing up steep hills. One driver remarked that running on just diesel he crawled up a hill in second gear, but with the propane injection he could take it in third.“The reports back from our truck drivers have been 100 percent positive,” she said.“They say it runs better, it has got more power and overall they are pleased with it.”Mr Shepherd said that while each fleet of vehicles was different in the way it was run, about 20 percent could be saved in operational costs, while the particulates that produce soot in the emissions could be cut by at least 70 percent and overall emissions reduced by around 30 percent.Mr Stanford said that he was now trying to get the word out about the benefits of propane powered vehicles and reach a wider audience.“We are trying to advocate to as many people as possible that this is a viable technology for cost savings and emission reduction,” he said.“And what better company to implement it than a propane company like Bermuda Gas.”Bermuda Gas plans to take the newly-installed vehicles to the Transport Control Department (TCD) in a couple of weeks for emissions testing and carry out further tests over the coming months and if it proves successful roll it out to its sister company Belco, Government and to others users.“Our ultimate goal is that every single one of our trucks will be powered by propane in the future as the older ones are phased out,” she said.“By doing this we want to demonstrate that we are taking the step forward and hopefully others will follow.”For more information contact Judith Uddin at 295-3111, email juddin[AT]bermudagas.bm or visit the website at www.bermudagas.bm