OVERLAND PARK, Kan., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- With a company motto of "First to serve, first to care," it's clear where customers rank with Wright & Filippis. By converting several of its delivery vehicles to clean-burning propane autogas, the company is now demonstrating a strong commitment to environment in the communities it serves.

Founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1944, Wright & Filippis is the nation's largest family-owned provider of home medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory services, and medical supplies. Working with nationwide propane provider Ferrellgas, the company recently introduced seven Roush CleanTech liquid propane injected Ford E-350 cutaways into its fleet.

According to Wright & Filippis' Tom Hopkins, Department Head-Central Warehouse & Distribution, the company could not be more pleased with the performance of the propane autogas-powered vehicles.

"We had targeted 12 vehicles for conversion by the end of 2011, and we are certainly on pace to accomplish that," Hopkins said. "We are already having discussions about expanding our propane fleet beyond the initial 12, and are exploring where it may make sense to add propane-powered vehicles within our next distribution model."

Hopkins said there are a number of factors that led Wright & Filippis to make the jump to propane autogas. "I don't think there is just one glaring reason," he said. "I think that when you look at all of them, a case can be made for each alternative fuel. But, when we considered the entire package, propane autogas just made the most sense for our fleet. The cost of fuel is certainly a factor, being 30 percent to 40 percent more cost-effective than traditional automotive fuel. When you also look at the positive environmental impact, the availability of propane, the fact that our refueling infrastructure is on site, the vehicle performance, and the positive effect propane autogas has on engine life, you make a pretty easy case."

Propane is the most widely used alternative fuel today, powering more than 15 million vehicles around the world. Operating costs typically range from 5 percent to 30 percent less than those of a gasoline-powered fleet, and, on average, create 20 percent less nitrogen oxides, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide and fewer particulate emissions, according to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Federal tax incentives are available through 2011 for new alternative fuel vehicles, vehicles converted to run on an alternative fuel, and alternative fuel infrastructure. Many states also offer additional incentives.

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. is a Fortune 1000 company and, through its operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., serves approximately one million customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Ferrellgas employees indirectly own more than 20 million common units of the partnership through an employee stock ownership plan. More information about the company can be found at http://www.ferrellgas.com/ and http://www.ferrellautogas.com/.

Contact:
Scott Brockelmeyer, Media Relations, 913-661-1830
Tom Colvin, Investor Relations, 913-661-1530

SOURCE Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.