Nexio Power this past weekend unveiled its new PICO Propane and Fuels demonstration vehicle at the 2026 Red River Crossroads Propane Expo at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colina.
The production-intent Class 7 propane bobtail went into commercial fleet service with PICO Propane and Fuels, the retail brand of Meritum Energy Holdings and one of the largest regional propane distributors in the country.
PICO is among the first fleet operators to run a Nexio propane truck in service on routes across South Texas.
The demonstration vehicle features Nexio’s 7.2-liter supercharged V-8 propane engine paired with an Allison 3500 RDS six-speed automatic transmission. PICO will operate the truck on standard daily routes while sharing operational data with Nexio’s engineering team to support EPA and CARB certification efforts, backed by a $6 million commitment from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
Because PICO transports fuel within its own distribution network, the vehicle refuels directly at company facilities across Texas, eliminating infrastructure challenges typical of alternative-fuel pilot programs.
"The propane industry has been searching for decades for a dedicated propane OEM bobtail. Nexio is delivering that platform, and PICO's commitment to propane makes them the ideal fleet to demonstrate what it can do in real-world service," said Gary Winemaster, CEO of Nexio Power, Inc. "PICO's leadership as an early adopter sends a strong message to the market about its confidence in propane-powered bobtails and its continued commitment to propane as a transportation fuel."
Executives view the road testing as a key milestone for medium- and heavy-duty alternative fuel adoption.
"We are excited to be a part of getting this new truck on the road and proving its capabilities in a real-world operating environment," said Christopher Hill, president and CEO of Meritum Energy Holdings. "We have watched the Nexio team take this project from concept to reality over the last few years and we believe this truck will be a game changer for not only our company, but for the entire propane industry and any industry operating a Class 7 truck fleet."
