When a child rides a propane-fueled bus to school, they arrive healthier, safer, and better prepared to learn. Diesel school buses are not good for our kids or our communities.
Though electric buses run clean and quiet, their extremely high costs place big burdens on school district budgets. That can mean less money for what matters most: educating children.
Propane buses offer many of the same environmental benefits of electric — but at a fraction of the cost. They travel farther, refuel more quickly, and even have a smaller carbon footprint. That means a clean, quiet ride for every child (and huge cost savings for school districts).
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See how school districts like yours are revolutionizing school transportation.
Add Propane to Your Fleet and Get Funded
With funding from the EPA allocated to replace diesel buses, it’s never been a better time to consider the switch to propane.
When you apply EPA grant funds to propane-powered school buses, your district will be able significantly cut harmful emissions and lower your total cost of ownership.
These savings will allow your district to invest in what really matters: the wellbeing of your educators and the children they teach.
See How You can Prepare for EPA Funding with our Clean School Bus Toolkit.
Energy for a Brighter Future
Propane is a low-carbon, near-zero alternative energy source. Did you know that propane powered school buses produce up to 96% less toxic emissions than diesel buses? With propane autogas buses, students aren’t exposed to the emissions that can aggravate asthma and cause other health issues.
And because propane produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than grid-generated electricity, it even has a lower carbon intensity than electric buses. All without sacrificing range, reliability, or performance.
In fact, the latest propane autogas engine technology is classified as near-zero emissions and has moved the fuel even closer to achieving net zero emissions levels.
See why propane is the environmentally friendly energy for everyone – especially schools.
Schools that Switch to Propane Have Done Their Homework
For transportation directors, propane school buses provide immediate opportunities to meet operational needs while remaining on budget. Scalable, affordable, and available, propane autogas is helping school transportation budgets go further.
Lowest Total Cost of Ownership
School districts can expect fuel costs of propane buses to be up to 50% less than diesel. And propane autogas saves in maintenance too: eliminating the need for costly filters and fluids needed on new diesel buses.
Lower Acquisition Cost
New propane buses cost a third of the price of new electric buses, allowing districts to purchase more vehicles within budget.
Lower Infrastructure Costs
Grid-free autogas refueling stations – which can be public, private, or even temporary stations – are a fraction of the cost of tying a new charging station into the electric grid.
Cleaner Performance
Today’s propane engines are 90% cleaner than mandated EPA standards, helping school districts meet sustainability goals while keeping their passengers healthier and their communities safer.
Proven Technology
Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative fuel for school buses, reliably helping districts run routes without worrying about recharging or range restrictions.
Available Incentives
In addition to the EPA Clean School Bus funding, many states offer incentives to help fleets save on the upfront purchases of propane autogas buses. See what’s offered in your state.
Districts around the country have used these fleet savings and operational efficiencies to afford more teachers, classroom supplies, and extracurricular activities. It’s no wonder fleet managers and transportation directors are switching to propane.
Fueling a Brighter Future - Today
“Replacing some of our older diesel buses with these clean energy propane buses really spoke to the board’s vision. Propane fuel costs a fraction of what diesel costs and maintenance costs are much lower. For every dollar that we can save with these kinds of things, we can push back into the classroom because that is our ultimate mission.” Tina Stoll, School Board President, North Penn School District
Volkswagen Mitigation Trust
As part of Volkswagen’s settlement with the federal government, the automaker created a $2.7 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust to incentivize the switch from diesel fleet vehicles to new, low-emission vehicles like propane autogas school buses. Download this fact sheet to see how you can work with your Clean Cities Coalition and state energy office to reduce emissions and costs in your state.
Propane Can Do That: School Transportation
Upgrading an Aging Fleet
Decades of Benefits
Great for the District and Kids
