Virginia’s clean transportation network took a step forward as leaders from across the state celebrated the opening of a new propane autogas refueling station near Richmond International Airport. 

The 1,990-gallon tank and dispenser will serve local fleets, including Henrico County Schools’ propane-powered school buses and Park ‘N Go’s airport shuttle vehicles. 

For Henrico County Schools, the station builds upon the district’s broader effort to modernize student transportation. In January, the district added 10 propane buses to the fleet. The buses transport hundreds of students daily.

“When communities invest in clean transportation like propane autogas, everyone benefits,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. "From the students riding on the buses, to the neighborhoods where these vehicles travel, to the business owners who save money. This is what the future of fleet transportation looks like, and as a Virginian, I am proud to see this investment in the Commonwealth.”

“This new station gives us the tools to continue investing in our community’s air quality and our children’s health,” said Lenny Pritchard, chief of operations at Henrico County Public Schools. “By powering our school buses with propane instead of diesel, we’re reducing the emissions that students breathe every day. The addition of this refueling station makes it even easier to scale up our propane fleet and ensure clean transportation for our students for many years to come.”

The station’s opening reflects Virginia’s movement toward clean energy technologies. In 2024, the state awarded a contract to fuel its public fleets with propane and renewable propane, a low-carbon alternative made from sustainable sources. The new contract provides school districts, transit systems, and government fleets access to favorable pricing and long-term stability.

"The opening of this public station marks another important milestone in providing cleaner, more cost-effective fuel options to all drivers in Virginia," said Matthew Wade, deputy director of VCC. "Investing in this fueling station opens the door for more drivers to take advantage of renewable propane and provides easier access to our fleet operators who often face challenges in working toward clean transportation transitions."

The new station was made possible thanks to local propane supplier, Alliance AutoGas. As propane autogas becomes more widely adopted across the Commonwealth, refueling infrastructure will play a critical role in making the fuel accessible to local operators.

“We’re proud to support Virginia’s growing commitment to clean transportation by delivering dependable, easy-to-use propane autogas refueling infrastructure,” said Steve McCoy, vice president of business development at Alliance AutoGas. “We want to make it simple for fleet owners to access clean energy when and where they need it. By building out convenient stations like this one, we’re helping local organizations and businesses take real steps toward cleaner transportation without adding cost or complexity to their operations.”

Vehicles and equipment displayed at the event demonstrated the wide range of applications for propane autogas. This included a Henrico County school bus. Several of the vehicles on site demonstrated the latest in bi-fuel technology, which allows fleet owners to operate vehicles on both propane autogas and gasoline. Bi-fuel systems offer flexibility and extended driving range while allowing operators to reduce emissions and fuel costs without altering routes or performance expectations.