Wright & Filippis Presents New Eco-Friendly Propane Autogas Fleet and Station at Ribbon Cutting Event

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Detroit area organizations—Wright & Filippis, ROUSH CleanTech, and Clean Energy Coalition—are growing a greener future through the use of domestically produced, clean-burning propane autogas technology. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Wright & Filippis Distribution Center located at 2638 Bond Street, Rochester Hills, Mich., the site of the recently installed 1,000-gallon propane fuel tank by Ferrellgas.

Thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant secured by the Clean Energy Coalition, Wright & Filippis, a leader in the rehabilitative healthcare field, unveiled 12 new Ford propane autogas powered Ford E-350 and E-450 cargo vans, featuring ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel systems.

Propane autogas is a low-carbon alternative fuel that produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel and gasoline in a wide range of applications. This fuel burns cleaner in engines than gasoline and diesel, which results in longer engine life and reduced maintenance costs.

Wright & Filippis' fleet vehicles travel more than 975,000 miles annually to serve patients needing home delivery of medical products. By switching to propane autogas, Wright & Filippis will be burning 48,000 fewer gallons of gasoline and eliminate more than 930,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from its annual carbon footprint. In addition, Wright & Filippis will be saving $3,000 per vehicle, per year, by utilizing propane autogas, showing an immediate return on investment.

"We can't take chances when we are delivering products that are critical to people's lives," said A.J. Filippis, president of Wright & Filippis. "We have to make sure our vehicles are reliable, and we have that comfort level by utilizing propane autogas to power them."

"Propane autogas powered vehicles help reduce our dependence on foreign oil because 90 percent of U.S. propane supplies are domestic," said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing at ROUSH CleanTech. "We're proud to develop new technologies that utilize alternative fuel sources to help fleet operators, such as Wright & Filippis, meet their goals of reducing both the operating costs and carbon footprint of their fleet."

"Clean Energy Coalition provides funding and resources for partnerships like ROUSH CleanTech and Wright & Filippis to flourish," said Sean Reed, executive director for Clean Energy Coalition. "These partnerships are resulting in remarkable advances in alternative fueling options and making it difficult for any transportation company to say 'no' to cleaner, more cost-effective alternatives for their fleets."

By working together, Wright & Filippis, ROUSH CleanTech, and Clean Energy Coalition have utilized propane autogas as a foundation to improve air quality, reduce the nation's reliance on oil, and stimulate the economy in Michigan.

"It's a positive thing to emphasize when there are collaborative efforts from local companies to work together, and this was a perfect partnership with ROUSH CleanTech and the Clean Energy Coalition as far as we're concerned," said Filippis. "They're putting into play opportunities for other local companies to take advantage of what they've developed and it helps each one of us to grow. We're fortunate to have these organizations here in our own backyard."

Wright & Filippis is a Michigan-based healthcare company specializing in prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory care services, and home medical equipment and supplies. Founded in Detroit in 1944, Wright & Filippis is the state's largest full-service home healthcare provider with 36 statewide offices. For more information, visit FirstToServe.com.

Clean Energy Coalition is dedicated to promoting clean energy technologies as a way to create healthier, energy independent communities. Since 2005, the Clean Energy Coalition has implemented, managed, and evaluated cost effective, market transformation projects and programs in the building and transportation sectors valued at more than $55 million. Visit cec-mi.org.

ROUSH CleanTech offers dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel systems for a variety of light- and medium-duty Ford vehicles, including the F-150, F-250, and F-350 truck series, and the E-150, E-250, E-350, and E-450 cutaway van series. Currently offered through authorized Ford dealerships around the country, the ROUSH CleanTech propane system delivers the same factory Ford performance characteristics, warranty coverage, and serviceability. Customers can reduce operating costs significantly while reducing vehicle emissions. Complete details on ROUSH CleanTech propane offerings can be found online at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800-59-ROUSH.

SOURCE Clean Energy Coalition