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School districts across the U.S. are excited about adopting electric school buses. This is shown through over $2.8 billion in three rounds of Clean School Bus Program funding being allocated toward over 8,400 electric school buses. But, that excitement is tempered when the school district has to figure out how to charge them. Electric school bus charging requires extensive and costly infrastructure and can put a strain on the local electric grid and school district budgets, in some cases making it impossible to build.
For school districts that have invested in electric buses or are in the preliminary phase of determining if electric buses are for them, another alternative fuel can aid in this decision. It’s propane. And, specifically, propane-powered EV charging stations.
“Many school districts are ordering their electric buses now so they can take advantage of the incentives and grants available before the money runs out. Unfortunately, many utilities cannot support the amount of power the electric buses need to charge,” said Michelle Browne of Pioneer eMobility-e-Boost. “In some cases, depending on the amount of buses, this can take 18 months or more. Instead of having the buses sit while they wait for their infrastructure upgrade, there are solutions available that can fill that grid gap until their infrastructure is available.”
Cost effective and flexible
Propane-powered EV charging stations eliminate the need for costly infrastructure investments. These units, like EV Power Pods, are compatible with electric school buses and can be set up wherever needed. This allows districts to adjust their charging infrastructure in response to evolving bus routes, schedules or fleet sizes. In addition, school districts can use them as their primary source for charging their electric buses at their bus yard or other convenient locations.
For instance, if a school district decides to add electric buses to its fleet, propane-powered EV charging stations can be quickly deployed to accommodate them without the need for new infrastructure, which could cost about $480,000 for the capacity to charge 10 EV buses. In comparison, a propane autogas station of the same size costs about $60,000. Similarly, if bus routes change or if certain areas experience higher demand, the propane-powered charging stations can be relocated to ensure that the school district’s electric buses have access to power wherever and whenever they need it.
These units are also valuable in unexpected situations. In the event of a power outage or natural disaster, propane-powered EV charging stations can continue to operate independently of the electrical grid. During unexpected disruptions, this ensures that electric school buses can be charged and ready to transport students, or even assist in the aftermath. For school districts in areas prone to severe weather, this capability can be invaluable.
“When people move to electric, their first concern after ‘can I charge my vehicle’ is ‘what if there’s a blackout?’ So we’re seeing people keep these units as backup power, getting rid of the diesel generators, and using propane generators for clean power,” said Scott Bradley of Pioneer eMobility. Pioneer eMobility’s e-Boost propane-powered EV charging stations range in power from 30kW to more than 600kW and the company offers containers, skids, trailers and trucks. The units can also run on renewable propane without requiring changes to any equipment.
Further environmental advantages
Electric buses are already a significant improvement over traditional diesel-powered buses in terms of reducing air pollution, especially in urban areas where air quality is a major concern. However, adopting electric buses and running diesel-fueled charging stations is inconsistent for school districts looking to decrease their carbon footprint. Propane, on the other hand, is a clean alternative fuel that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter compared to diesel. This is particularly important for school districts aiming to meet environmental sustainability goals or adhere to stricter emissions regulations.
Another environmental advantage of propane is that it does not contaminate soil or groundwater. In the event of a spill, propane dissipates quickly into the air without leaving harmful residues, unlike diesel, which can contaminate soil and groundwater. This makes propane a safer and more environmentally responsible choice.
Benefits of propane
Propane-powered EV charging stations need to be refueled in order to keep electric school buses on the road. “Many school districts are already using propane for some of their propane-powered buses and/or are ordering both propane and electric buses through school bus grants. This means they have or will have propane on site already,” Browne said. “Propane has been servicing their needs for many years in the school bus sector. By adding a propane-powered charger for their fleet, they are using a clean fuel they are familiar with, is readily available and can be used when the grid is down for resiliency.”
Propane is a relatively inexpensive and widely available fuel source that can reduce the cost of operating a mobile or stationary charging station. Compared with diesel, propane costs about 50% less per gallon. And, because propane is a domestic resource with about 90% being produced in the United States, prices tend to be more stable, helping school districts to better manage their budgets.
Where do schools get propane? A local propane company provides the fuel itself. A propane company can refill the tanks of the charging station as frequently as needed whether that is once per day or once a week. School districts already running propane buses in their fleets can contract with their existing propane supplier.
As more school districts commit to reducing their carbon footprint, adopting electric school buses and other alternative fuels, like propane, can be a way to accomplish this. Propane-powered EV charging stations support this transition by providing a practical, scalable and environmentally friendly solution for keeping electric buses charged and ready to go.
