By Dave Dyer

Staff Writer

   The town of Scarborough plans to convert all town-owned diesel vehicles to bio diesel. Scarborough Public Works Director Mike Shaw said the program began last year.

   “The town manager asked us to look into alternative fuels,” Shaw said. “We had some concerns in the beginning and we knew that Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth have done the same type of program, but we wanted to have our own experience with it.”

 Public Works Shop Supervisor Jay Nason said the town used bio diesel in four vehicles the first year.

  “We ran a pilot program last September. We used two large dump trucks, a school bus, and a front end loader and ran them on bio diesel fuel to see if they would have any problems. The loader ended up having a two to one economy rate than when it was on regular diesel.” Nason said, referring to the loader having twice as many miles for the same amount of fuel.

 Nason said the dump truck also had better fuel economy. The school bus was the only vehicle that did not to show improvement in fuel economy, he said.

   “It didn’t get any worse or better,” Nason said. “I think with the whole process of starting and stopping at all the different bus stops, it takes a toll on the fuel.”

  Nason said bio diesel helps lubricate the motor.

  “The regular diesel fuel had low amounts of sulfur, which didn’t help the lubrication of the motor. The bio diesel on the other hand, helps lubricate the motor significantly,” Nason said.

  “It’s a cleansing fuel,” Shaw said. “We had to change out some of our oil filters to go along with the new fuel, but it has now leveled itself out.”

  Shaw and Nason said the price of bio diesel for Scarborough’s fleet of about 50 vehicles will not be a factor.

“It is a little more expensive than regular diesel fuel, but by only a matter of pennies,” Nason said.

“There’s a little difference,” Shaw said. “But the great thing is with the mileage that comes out of paying that little extra, it completely evens itself out.”

 Shaw said the public works gas tank, where town vehicles fuel up, has been filled with bio diesel.

  “We have a 10,000 gallon in-ground tank which we use for all public works vehicles,” Shaw said. “We used up all of the diesel fuel in that tank, and now we are fully stocked on bio diesel fuel. The cost of diesel for us before was $3.10 per gallon, and now with bio diesel it costs $3.60 per gallon. We don’t let the tank get under 5,000 gallons, especially during the winter months with school buses and plow trucks, so we have to fill the tank back up every couple of weeks.”

  Public works is researching other fuel alternatives for gasoline-powered vehicles. Shaw said propane is being considered as a possible fuel source.

  “We have one of our police vehicles using propane right now,” Shaw said. “Propane is 66 cents cheaper per gallon than gasoline at this point. The only problem that we have run into is the V-8 engines that are in the police vehicles are not EPA certified for conversion to propane gas. It would cost somewhere in the range of $7,000 to $10,000 per vehicle to do that, so right now it’s a matter of dollars.”

  Shaw and Nason said the future looks bright for alternative fuels in Scarborough town vehicles.

  “We know what we’re doing is certainly something that will be done with other vehicles in the future,” Shaw said.

  “Switching to bio diesel is a bridge, but it’s a good one.” Nason said.