Today, there are more than 7,300 propane school buses on the road in 46 states. That number continues to increase as more school district fleet managers hear about the cost-saving and emissions-reducing benefits of alternative fuel school buses.
Phoenix’s Kyrene School District has converted 85 percent of its existing fleet of diesel-fueled school buses to propane autogas-powered vehicles. Like many school districts in the U.S. that have chosen to convert to propane autogas, Kyrene School District expects these new alternative fuel buses to lower the district’s operating costs while reducing harmful emissions that impact the local environment.
The school district started with propane autogas in 2014 when it purchased 25 alternative fuel buses. This past year, the district added 73 more Blue Bird Vision buses to its fleet; all powered by Ford 6.8L V10 engines and equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems.
With over 85 percent of its school bus fleet now operating on propane autogas, Kyrene School District is averaging $1.15 per gallon compared with $1.50 per gallon for diesel, not including the 36-cents-per-gallon alternative fuel federal tax rebate. Aside from fuel-cost savings, the school district also expects to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 56,000 pounds and more than 1,400 pounds of particulate matter each year compared with the diesel buses that were replaced.
“Kyrene School District has committed to cost-efficient, emissions-reducing propane school buses,” said Brian Carney, group account director for ROUSH CleanTech. “The school district’s transportation department, service department, drivers and students are all seeing firsthand the benefits of lower fuel prices, easier maintenance, quieter performance and cleaner air for the community”.
Propane autogas is a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the fuel as a non-contaminant. It is the leading alternative fuel in the United States and the third most commonly used vehicle fuel, following gasoline and diesel. About 25 million vehicles travel worldwide with propane autogas in their fuel tanks.
For more information on ROUSH CleanTech’s deployments of alternative fuel school buses by state and size, click on the map below.
