Rhoads Energy Awarded $45K State Grant to Expand Propane Truck Fleet

July 30th, 2025 | Company News

Rhoads Energy has secured $45,098 through Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) program. These funds will finance the purchase of two new propane-powered trucks, supporting the company’s strategic transition to cleaner-burning fleet vehicles.

Grant Overview
The AFIG grants, awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, back projects that reduce emissions in transportation. Propane-powered vehicles emit significantly fewer pollutants compared to diesel and gasoline models.

Propane: Cleaner, Quieter, Cost‑Effective
Propane vehicles not only fuel economic efficiency, often costing 30–50% less than diesel or gas, but also contribute to quieter, cleaner air. Fleet conversion initiatives like this one reflect Rhoads Energy’s long-term commitment to sustainability.

Local Impact and Historical Leadership
Rhoads Energy is among only two Lancaster County recipients selected in this round of AFIG funding. The company has long championed alternative fuels in the region, with a track record that includes transitioning more than 20 vehicles to propane as early as 2019. That initiative, detailed in this blog post, showcased the operational and environmental benefits of cleaner-burning fuel — and laid the foundation for continued fleet upgrades.

Statewide Progress
This round awarded over $3.47 million to 27 projects statewide, funding vehicles and alternative fuel infrastructure across 17 counties.
“We’re pleased to partner with the state to bring healthier air and greener solutions locally,” said CEO Michael DeBerdine. “We hope this grant encourages more energy users to explore propane as an economical, domestically produced alternative.”

Environmental & Operational Benefits
CEO DeBerdine added, “Beyond lower emissions, propane is quieter and cheaper to operate. Even without grants, we’d continue expanding our propane fleet because the cost savings and environmental gains are clear.”

Driving Propane Adoption Regionally
In addition to operating its own growing fleet of propane-powered vehicles, Rhoads Energy also fuels more than 250 propane-powered school buses across the region. The company actively partners with school districts to deliver a quieter, cleaner alternative to diesel transportation. Learn more about these efforts here Propane-Powered School Buses.