The Knapheide Manufacturing Company

Alternative Fuels

Alternative Fuel Work Ready Vehicle Solutions

Knapheide is committed to provide our customers with Alternative Fuel vehicles that are equipped to handle any jobsite environment.

Rising gas and diesel costs have created more and more interest among fleets and end users in alternative fuels.  Knapheide has partnered with leading alternative fuel system providers and chassis manufacturers in order to offer virtually every alternative fuel solution available to help keep your operating costs low.  Knapheide has invested in its turnkey operations so we can provide you with the following alternative fuel services:

  • Extensive knowledge of alternative fuel systems and vehicle/body compatibility
  • Quality installation of alternative fuel systems for your chassis
  • Turnkey installation operations so your alternative fuel vehicle will have a work ready body
  • Engineering and support for your alternative fuel vehicles

Along with reduced operating costs, many alternative fuels also qualify for federal and state tax credits and incentives.  These tax credits and incentives vary from government rebates on hybrid vehicles to tax credits on alternative fuel purchases.  To view current available state and federal alternative fuel incentives and tax credits, visit the INCENTIVES AND LAWS PAGE located on the U.S. Department of Energy website.

 

Propane

Knapheide has developed relationships with two of the leading propane fuel system providers in the industry, Roush CleanTech (Ford Chassis) and CleanFUEL USA (GM Chassis).  These relationships enable Knapheide to work collaboratively with Roush CleanTech and CleanFUEL USA to develop superior propane powered work ready vehicles.  There are over 300,000 propane fueled vehicles in operation in the United States and over 90% of propane is produced in North America, helping the United States become less dependent on foreign oil.  Propane also boasts developed infrastructure offering over 3,000 refueling stations in the United States.

Roush CleanTech and CleanFUEL USA offer propane savings calculators so you can make an educated choice before you make your next purchase on alternative fuel vehicles.

Ford Chassis - Roush CleanTech Calculator

GM Chassis - CleanFUEL USA Calculator

Direct benefits to fleets/end users that convert to propane include:

  • Propane gas is eligible for the Federal Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle Credit
  • On-site propane fueling stations offer a low cost option to company fleets that also qualify for additional tax credits
  • Propane gas conversion packages offer a lower fuel cost and longer vehicle life expectancy for fleet vehicles
  • Propane gas conversion packages are available for many popular commercial vehicles and retrofits for existing vehicles
  • Propane gas conversion packages can usually be installed within the frame rails of the vehicle to minimize the loss of cargo space or overall cargo capacity
  • Propane fueled vehicles offer comparable mile range when compared to gas and diesel vehicles

Compressed Natural Gas

Knapheide has invested in relationships with the two top CNG fuel system providers in the industry, BAF Technologies (Ford Chassis) and Baytech Corporation (GM Chassis).  Because of these relationships, Knapheide has been able to develop work ready CNG fuel vehicles on both Ford and GM chassis.  CNG has become a popular choice for large fleets due to the significantly lower operating costs compared to gas or diesel vehicles.  CNG fueled vehicles emit 30% less greenhouse gas compared to gas or diesel vehicles.  Over 98% of natural gas is produced in North America allowing the United States to rely less on foreign oil as a fuel source.

Direct benefits to fleets/end users that convert to compressed natural gas include:

  • CNG is eligible for the Federal Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle credit
  • On-site CNG fueling stations offer additiional benefits to large fleets with dedicated work routes
  • CNG engines emit 80% less noise compared to diesel engines
  • CNG offers a lower fuel cost and longer vehicle life expectancy for fleet vehicles
  • CNG packages are available for many popular commercial vehicles and retrofits for existing vehicles

E85

For several years, Knapheide has upfit a large number of E85 vehicles with work ready bodies.  Our experience with installing bodies on E85 vehicles is second to none, whether it is a small vehicle to medium duty vehicle.  E85 currently has one of the largest infrastructure networks among alternative fuel vehicles, offering over 2,300 fueling stations all over the United States.  E85 is also a very renewable fuel since 85% of its mixture is comprised of ethanol from domestically produced crops.

Direct benefits to fleets/end users that convert to E85 include:

  • E-85 costs less per gallon compared to gasoline or diesel
  • Large network of available vehicles compatible with E85 fuel
  • Similar vehicle performance compared to gasoline
  • E-85 qualifies for the Federal Alternative Fuel Tax Credit

Biodiesel

Biodiesel has become a more viable alternative fuel option as many new diesel engines are capable of accepting biodiesel as a fuel source.  GM has developed a 6.6L diesel engine while both Ford and Chrysler have their own 6.7 diesel engines that are all capable of accepting up to B20 biodiesel.  B20 (20% biodiesel 80% petroleum diesel) is the most common biodiesel fuel in the United States currently.  B20 and lower level biodiesel blends normally do not require any engine modifications, especially with newer diesel engines.  Biodiesel has safe, clean-burning properties and can be domestically produced from our abundance of new and used vegetable oils and animal fats.

Direct benefits to fleets/end users that convert to Biodiesel include:

  • Alternative fuel credits under the Energy Policy Act of 1992
  • Little to no investment if your diesel engines already accept biodiesel

Electricity

Hybrid electric vehicles are common with large fleet operations.  Numerous Knapheide customers have converted part or all of their fleet to hybrid vehicles in attempt to drastically reduce their operating costs.  A wide variety of hybrid vehicles are available today, from hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to all-electric vehicles (EVs).  With over 2 million vehicles in operation today, hybrid vehicles are one of the more popular alternative fuel solutions on the road.   Harmful emission levels emitted by Hybrids range from very low (HEVs) to zero (EVs).

Direct benefits to fleets/end users that convert to hybrids include:

  • Hybrid vehicles (depending upon type of hybrid) have great fuel economy (40+mpg for HEVs, even better for PHEVs)
  • Federal Tax credits are available for Hybrid vehicles, ranging in value from $2,500 up to $7,500 depending on the type of Hybrid you choose to purchase