The Propane Education and Research Council has awarded a $1.39 million research grant for studying the ability of propane fuel system technologies to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 standards for large spark-ignited non-road engines such as those used on lift trucks. Today, there are roughly half a million lift trucks using propane in the U.S. Those trucks account for 15% of all propane consumed in this country.

According to Roy Willis, president of the Council, three propane engine fuel system technologies for lift trucks will be studied by the Southwest Research Institute. "This grant is the largest single research project ever authorized by the Council for any technology," says Willis. Initial findings are expected by the end of this year.