PERC commits US$6m to Nexio propane truck work

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has committed US$6m to Nexio Power to support Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification of a dedicated propane-powered commercial vehicle platform. The funding covers Class 7 trucks and a 7.2-litre supercharged V8 engine for the US market.

Nexio’s platform is engineered from the ground up for propane. The V8 produces 330 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Allison 3500 RDS automatic transmission and a liquid propane fuel system. The design removes the need for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and complex aftertreatment systems.

Nexio said fleet operators could expect annual fuel savings of around US$25,000 per truck against diesel. Configurations target propane bobtail delivery and other work trucks.

Gary Winemaster, Chief Executive of Nexio Power, said: “Our vision goes beyond bobtails. We see propane powering Class 5 through Class 8 vehicles across work truck applications. This support expands domestic propane consumption, strengthens US energy security, and connects decarbonisation with industry profitability.”

Tucker Perkins, Chief Executive of PERC, added: “Our partnership with Nexio Power opens a new market for medium-duty fleets in on and off-road applications, supporting our mission to displace diesel.”

Nexio is preparing seven trucks for EPA and CARB testing, and is building a 35-acre manufacturing campus in Lufkin, Texas, targeting production in early 2027.

Source: Nexio