Construction fuel alternatives: How nexAir supports propane, natural gas and hybrid job-site solutions

Diesel has been the default fuel for construction sites for decades, but that’s starting to change. More contractors are looking at propane, natural gas, and hybrid setups to power their equipment and job sites. The reasons vary, from cost savings to emissions regulations to fuel availability, but the question is usually the same: will these alternatives work for the kind of heavy-duty demands construction puts on equipment?

Why Contractors Are Making the Switch

Fuel costs add up fast on a busy job site, and diesel prices can swing wildly depending on the market. Propane and natural gas offer more stable pricing, which makes budgeting a lot easier when you’re planning months ahead. There’s also the emissions angle to consider. Some municipalities now have stricter air quality standards, especially for projects in urban areas or near schools and hospitals. Propane burns cleaner than diesel, and natural gas is even better for reducing emissions without sacrificing the power you need to get work done.

We’ve seen contractors make the switch for practical reasons too. Propane-powered forklifts and generators run quieter than their diesel counterparts, and natural gas equipment requires less maintenance over time because it doesn’t leave the carbon buildup that diesel engines do. That’s where our KnowHow™ comes in. We help you figure out which fuel makes sense for your specific equipment and site conditions instead of pushing you toward whatever’s easiest to supply.

What Hybrid Solutions Look Like

You don’t have to convert your entire fleet overnight. Most contractors we work with start by switching out a few pieces of equipment to see how alternative fuels perform in real-world conditions. Propane works well for smaller equipment like forklifts, generators, and heaters. Natural gas makes sense for stationary equipment or sites with existing gas line access.

Hybrid setups are becoming more common too. You might run propane for your portable generators and indoor equipment while keeping diesel for your heavy machinery and haulers. This approach lets you take advantage of cleaner fuels where they work best without creating headaches for equipment that legitimately needs diesel. We work with contractors to map out what a hybrid fuel strategy looks like based on their fleet, their projects, and their budget.

Reliable Supply for Alternative Fuels

Switching fuels only works if you can get them delivered consistently. We supply propane and natural gas solutions across the Southeast, and we understand that job sites move and change. Whether you need bulk propane tanks for a long-term project or cylinder exchanges for portable equipment, we handle the logistics so you don’t have to think about it.

Our territory managers work directly with construction companies to set up delivery schedules that match project timelines. Need more fuel as your crew size ramps up? We adjust. Moving to a new site? We coordinate the transition so you’re not waiting around for fuel to show up.

Making the Transition Work

Alternative fuels aren’t complicated, but they do require some upfront planning. We help you Forge Forward by walking through the practical side of making the switch, from equipment compatibility to storage requirements to cost projections. Our goal is to make sure you’re set up for success before you commit to anything.

Thinking about alternative fuels for your job sites? Contact nexAir and let’s talk about what makes sense for your equipment and projects.