SEPA & NCPERF Announce Propane Autogas Rebates for North Carolina Marketers

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 15, 2024) — The Southeast Propane Alliance (SEPA) and North Carolina Propane Education & Research Foundation (NCPERF) announced a propane autogas rebate pilot program for North Carolina marketers. The pilot program aims to showcase propane autogas and return value to marketers.

Effective July 1, SEPA and NCPERF will provide 20 rebates of $2,500 each for propane autogas vehicles to help the growth and development of marketers in North Carolina. These rebates can be used to cover expenses in the following categories:

• Cost of purchasing: Expenses related to purchasing factory-direct propane vehicles.
• Cost of conversions: Expenses related to purchasing the conversion kit and labor to install the conversion kit.
• Cost of conversion training: Enhancing the skills and knowledge of your team through professional training programs. Covers the cost of travel and lodging
• Cost of education: Investing in courses, seminars and workshops to learn how to convert, repair and perform maintenance on autogas systems.
• Cost of infrastructure: Improving your company’s infrastructure, including dispensing stations, software, hardware and other essential tools.

Andy Daughtrey, president of NCPERF and central regional manager for Sharp Energy, expressed, “This pilot program showcases our industry’s commitment and the ongoing dedication of the NCPERF board to maximize returns for our marketers. It also presents a great opportunity for our industry to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of propane autogas to our communities by implementing its use in our own fleets.”

The pilot program offers 20 rebates at $2,500 each, with a maximum of five rebates per North Carolina company.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Southeast Propane Alliance autogas rebate pilot program. This initiative is aimed at transforming fleet sustainability by providing a generous rebate that enables marketers to embrace propane autogas vehicles. By doing so, they can effectively lower carbon emissions and operational expenses at the same time. We invite all interested North Carolina marketers to join us in advancing environmental stewardship and economic efficiency by adopting propane autogas,” said Lenny Hall, vice president of NCPERF and executive vice president of fuel & propane operations at Berico.

Any questions about whether a project qualifies will be decided by the NCPERF board. The rebate program is exclusive to North Carolina marketers due to their contribution to the checkoff program. The project, including education, must be physically located in North Carolina and generate business in the state.

John Jessup, president and CEO of SEPA, stated, “If you ever wanted to start using autogas in your business, this is the time to do it! This is a great opportunity to start using the perfect fuel to power your fleet. SEPA staff is standing by to help you get started.”

For more information and to apply, contact Jessup at [email protected] or 919-787-8485.