Propane autogas school buses reduce emissions, run quieter and have a low total cost of ownership. Helping schools increase safety and save money.

1. PROPANE AUTOGAS
SCHOOL BUSES
Financial Common Sense for School Transportation

2. Propane Autogas Buses Check All the Boxes for Schools
• Lower total cost-of-ownership than
diesel technology.
• Scalable, affordable infrastructure
options for convenient on-site
refueling.
• Buses from all four major O.E.M.s.

3. Propane Autogas =
Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
For long-term savings, school transportation
professionals need to think beyond the pump.

4. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
• Fuel
• Fluids
• Filters
• Going beyond decreased
fuel expenses, propane
autogas eliminates the
additional costs associated
with diesel engines over a
vehicle’s lifetime — AKA
“The Three F’s:”

5. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
The Three F’s: Fuel
• Historically, the price of
propane falls between the
price of crude oil and
natural gas. As a result,
propane consistently costs
less than diesel, even as
fuel prices fluctuate.

6. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
• Available Federal and state incentives help to further lower propane’s total cost-of-
ownership by reducing the already low price of propane autogas.
• Federal tax credit of 36 cents per gallon for 2016.
• Most states offer incentives to encourage propane autogas use. Incentives may
include grant programs, loan programs, leasing programs, tax incentives and
credits, rebate programs, and exemptions.
• For a detailed list of incentives, laws, regulations, and programs related to
propane autogas, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) —
afdc.energy.gov.

7. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
The Three F’s: Fluids
• Diesel engines require more oil by volume compared
with propane autogas engines, increasing preventative
maintenance costs.
• In cold temperatures, diesel engines require fuel
conditioners (“anti-gelling agents”) to reduce the
likelihood of fuel gelling, the primary cause of clogged
fuel supply lines, fuel filters, and inoperable buses.

8. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
The Three F’s: Filters
• Today’s low-emissions diesel
technology works…at a price.
• To meet emissions requirements,
diesel engines must have a DPF —
diesel particulate filter — that requires
strict operation practices and periodic
maintenance which increases downtime
and maintenance expenses.

9. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
The Three F’s: Filters
• Drivers must constantly monitor DPF status to ensure
emissions regenerations are performed as required. Failure to
conduct timely active or passive “regens” leads to DPF
clogging or cracking.
• A clogged DPF slowly de-rates the engine, leaving
transportation directors with an inoperable bus and a tow bill.
• Repeated short drive times that do not get up to highway
speeds or stop-n-go routes that require excessive idling
increase “regen” requirements and cleaning intervals.

10. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
• Diesel repairs and replacement
parts drain funds one problem at
a time.
• After-treatment systems add
complexity to diesel engines,
ensuring that the engine’s fuel,
fluids, cooling, and emissions
systems will require extra
attention down the road.

11. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
• Beginning in 2007, diesel engines are designed for
repetitive cranking and minimal engine idling periods of
five minutes or less.
• Excessive idling increases diesel emissions regen requirements and
has proven to cause premature failure of injectors, EGR valves and
coolers, turbochargers, CCV filters, and diesel particulate filters.
• Every issue means more downtime due to increased
maintenance requirements and repair expenses.

12. Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership
• Propane autogas performs
in the coldest climates.
• Cranks reliably and does not
require electric block heaters.
• Fast warm up without lengthy
idle periods.
• Produces consistent heat
throughout the passenger
compartment.

13. Propane Autogas =
Scalable, Affordable Infrastructure Options
School districts and private contractors can use the same
pump and motor to handle a growing number of fuel
storage tanks and dispensers — allowing infrastructure to
grow as schools or private contractors add buses.

14. Scalable Infrastructure Options
• Standard private station.
• Advanced private station.
• Public or private network.
• On-site propane autogas
stations are the most
affordable to install of any
conventional or alternative
fuel. A local propane
provider can help schools
or contractors select the
right option for their
situation.

15. Scalable Infrastructure Options
• Standard private stations are the best solution for
fleets needing a central refueling location. Setup includes
a 1,000- to 2,000-gallon tank and a single propane
autogas fuel dispenser.

16. Scalable Infrastructure Options

17. Scalable Infrastructure Options
• Advanced private stations may be the best choice for larger
fleets that need a central refueling station. Setup can include
higher capacity fuel storage tanks with a canopy and multiple
propane autogas fuel dispensers.

18. Scalable Infrastructure Options

19. Scalable Infrastructure Options
• Private or public refueling networks may be a viable
option for bus fleets needing more refueling locations
along their routes.*
• Requires no infrastructure investment.
• Accessible 24/7 through a card lock system.
• Provides competitive fuel pricing.
• Consult with a propane provider for more details.
*A propane provider may create a network for a fleet if it’s large enough and one is not currently available.
Multiple fleets can team up to provide adequate load for requesting a refueling network.

20. Garaging and Maintenance Facilities
• Unlike other alternative fuels, switching to propane
autogas does not require districts to modify their
maintenance and repair facilities or construct new ones.*
• Requirements for a propane autogas vehicle repair facility are
generally the same as those of conventionally fueled buses.
• Other alternative fuels may require different facility requirements
like additional gas detection and ventilation equipment — more
upfront costs for fleets adopting alternative fuels.
*Always contact your local Authority Having Jurisdiction.

21. Garaging and Maintenance Facilities
• Segregation of major and minor repair
areas is not required if the structure is
code compliant.
• Constructing new buildings or segregating
existing buildings can lead to increased
costs for electricity, air handling, cooling,
and heating over time.

22. Propane Autogas =
Buses from All Major Manufacturers
The manufacturers you rely on
for conventionally fueled buses produce Type A and Type C
propane autogas models.

23. Buses from All Major Manufacturers
• Blue Bird Type A Micro Bird and Type C Vision in
partnership with Ford and Roush CleanTech.
• Collins Type A NexBus in partnership with General Motors
and CleanFuel USA.
• IC Bus CE Series school bus powered by the Power
Solutions International LP propane engine.
• Thomas Built Type A Minotaur in partnership with General
Motors and CleanFuel USA and Type C Saf-T-Liner in
partnership with Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.,
Powertrain Integration, and CleanFuel USA.

24. Propane Autogas Buses Check All the Boxes for Schools
• Lower total
cost-of-ownership than
diesel technology.
• Scalable, affordable
infrastructure options for
convenient refueling.
• Buses from all four major
manufacturers.

25. Resources
• Visit propane.com to learn more and download free resources.
• Brochure.
• Case studies.
• Video testimonials from school districts with propane autogas buses.
• Safety and training resources. Topics include:
• Repair and maintenance facility requirements.
• Dispensing propane autogas.