Alternative-fuel options A
expand in Type A small school bus market
By Ryan Gray
About three years ago, operators had but one hybrid-electric and one propane model to choose from, the Collins NexBus line. Today, the propane-powered Micro Bird by Girardin is heading into its second full year of production and another propane vehicle in the works from Thomas Built Buses is expected to roll off the line by this summer. Later this year, Trans Tech Bus will finalize production on its new all-electric eTrans, and additional options could be available from both IC Bus and Starcraft.
Come this time next year, the Type A small
school bus market could see essentially every fuel option available as manufacturers eye viable options that make fiscal sense for customers. Gasoline remains the most common Type A op- tion, and Ford made a decision last year to forego a diesel-powered chassis because of rising prices. GM is the one cut-away chassis currently offered for diesel, and the fully integrated IC Bus AE Series body and chassis, once it rolls off the production line in May, will also be available in diesel. Starcraft announced last January it was considering CNG for its line of Prodigy and Quest school buses, though no timetable has been given.
THE PROPANE PUSH Yet, a different form of natural gas is garnering
the most attention industry-wide: propane. Te fuel is domestically produced with supplies from reserves that are forecast to be available for at
least the next 100 years. And the federal subsidy of $0.50 per gallon for propane is expected to continue. “It’s truly a North American product, which
has got to make everybody feel good about it. And it’s plentiful,” said John Doswell, vice president of sales and marketing at Collins Bus Corporation. “I’m a little amazed that it hasn’t gotten more play on the national political scene.” He pointed out that many student
transporters continue to shy away from propane until filling stations are as prevalent nationwide as gas stations. While it’s rare for school bus operators to engage in long activity and field trips of hundreds of miles, Doswell said propane as well as CNG infrastructure must grow for the option to truly gain acceptance in the industry. Te decision comes down to how the bus is to be used and how easy it is to fuel. So far, propane is ahead as far as manufacturer
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