U-Haul® announced its latest green initiative with the purchase of its first million gallons of renewable propane, which is available to customers at U-Haul autogas facilities across Southern California.
U-Haul, the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., teamed with national distributor Suburban® Propane to supply the ecofriendly fuel. Plans call for this product offering to be ongoing as U-Haul continues to pursue sustainable solutions as an industry leader.
“The introduction of renewable propane is a welcome disruption to the industry,” stated John Barnett, U-Haul propane program manager.
“Carbon-neutral fuels are in demand. It’s all about sustainability. While U-Haul is paying a premium for this product, we have chosen to absorb this cost so our customers will benefit the environment at no additional charge. Californians can feel even better about fueling with propane in the growing autogas sector.”
Find U-Haul Alternative Fuel Refill Stations near you at uhaul.com/propane/autogas.
Cutting Carbon Emissons
Renewable propane is derived from renewable sources such as beef fats, vegetable oils, grease residue and other biomass feedstocks. It boasts a lower carbon intensity than traditional propane while providing similar performance metrics. Renewable propane also has one of the lowest carbon intensity scores compared to gasoline, diesel and compressed natural gas, thus reducing harmful contributors to greenhouse gases.
The U-Haul purchase and customer offering has the global effect of eliminating 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, according to the Western Propane Gas Association.
Joy Alafia, WPGA President and CEO, added: “WPGA applauds U-Haul for its demonstrated leadership in transportation decarbonization. U-Haul’s decision to power fleets with renewable propane is a clean energy trifecta; the move provides an opportunity for the community to drive a vehicle powered by a sustainable fuel solution, reduces U-Haul’s carbon footprint, and has the global effect of taking 1,000 cars off the road.”
Leading Propane Provider
U-Haul began selling propane in 1984 and became the largest U.S. retailer by 1987. Today, U-Haul safely supplies propane to thousands of customers daily across the U.S. and Canada.
U-Haul promotes sustainable solutions through its core business model of truck and trailer sharing; by reusing old and often vacant buildings for its new stores, cutting down on new-construction emissions and helping cities reduce their unwanted inventory of unused buildings; by curbing emissions through fuel efficiency and the proximity of neighborhood dealers to residential areas; by offering green products like biodegradable packing peanuts, boxes made from recycled cardboard, the reusable plastic Ready-To-Go Box, and furniture blankets made from recycled denim; and by offering in-store programs like Take A Box, Leave A Box and Re-Use Centers that serve as redistribution hubs for gently used household furnishings.
