PERC Commits $6 Million to Nexio to Advance Propane Commercial Vehicle Certification

Nacogdoches, Texas (April 20, 2026) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has executed a $6 million contract to support propane commercial vehicle certification through Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval of a dedicated propane-powered commercial vehicle platform and engine for the U.S. market. This milestone expands the availability of practical, lower-emission solutions for commercial fleet operators nationwide.

The investment will support certification of medium to heavy-duty Class 7 trucks, and a purpose-built 7.2-liter supercharged V8 propane engine manufactured by Nexio Power, Inc. These configurations are designed for a range of commercial applications, including propane bobtail delivery and other work truck vocations.

The approval reflects the propane industry’s continued commitment to advancing technologies that strengthen propane’s role in commercial transportation, an area where fleet operators are actively seeking proven alternatives to diesel that deliver measurable economic and emissions benefits without the infrastructure complexity of other fuel transitions.

An Investment in the Industry’s Future of Propane Commercial Vehicle Certification

Gary Winemaster, CEO of Nexio Power, Inc. commented, “What makes this partnership with PERC meaningful goes beyond funding. The feedback we’ve received from propane marketers, distributors and fleet operators has directly shaped Nexio’s product and been embedded in our development from day one.”

“This is also about the propane industry investing in its own future. Fleets that adopt propane trucks gain a clear cost-of-ownership advantage, reducing emissions while reinforcing their commitment to the industry.”

Winemaster continued, “Our vision goes beyond bobtails. We see propane powering Class 5 through Class 8 vehicles across a wide range of work truck applications. As adoption grows, it drives greater fuel demand, leading to more deliveries and more bobtails on the road, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth. This support expands domestic propane consumption, strengthens U.S. energy security, reduces exports and improves margins from midstream providers to local marketers, aligning decarbonization with long-term industry profitability. We’re excited to help drive adoption across the propane industry.”

Addressing a Market Gap

The PERC-supported certification program addresses a recognized gap in the commercial vehicle market, the lack of a widely available, purpose-built propane-powered truck, with the same power and performance as a diesel, designed specifically for the duty cycles and operational requirements of propane distribution and commercial fleets.

Nexio’s platform is engineered from the ground up for propane. The 7.2-liter V8 engine delivers 330 horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with an Allison 3500 RDS automatic transmission and a liquid propane fuel system. The design eliminates the need for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and complex aftertreatment systems, reducing common failure points that drive maintenance costs and downtime in diesel fleets.

Fleet operators can expect projected annual fuel savings of approximately $25,000 per truck compared to diesel, along with reduced maintenance complexity and significantly lower emissions.

Tucker Perkins, CEO of PERC, commented “PERC’s partnership with Nexio Power Inc. demonstrates our commitment to advancing technology and opens up a new market for medium-duty fleets in on and off-road applications. Investing in this project supports PERC’s mission to displace diesel, providing fleets with the opportunity to significantly reduce emissions, fuel costs, and maintenance expenses with clean, affordable and domestically produced propane.”

Nexio Launches New Website

Nexio Power has launched a new website, NexioTrucks.com, designed to provide propane marketers, fleet operators and industry stakeholders with detailed information on its propane-powered vehicle platform.

The site highlights vehicle specifications, performance capabilities and the company’s progress toward propane commercial vehicle certification, while also outlining Nexio’s broader vision for propane in commercial transportation.

It will serve as a central hub for updates as the company advances through certification and prepares for production.