Tought Leader
of the phased-in EPA diesel emissions reduction ruling. Te comparison of old diesel to new CNG, LP and electric needs to stop. Te market is changing, slowly. School bus oper- ators seem to be more open to alternatives than ever before for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is economics and the environment. STN recently received 170 responses to a survey on alternative-fuel adoption. But in response to the question, “Do you operate alternative fuel buses,” only 36 readers responding, “Yes.” Tese also represented slightly more than 100 buses. Meanwhile 60 percent of those said they have received funding grants to offset the price of the bus, with 66 percent purchasing propane, 28 percent CNG and 6 percent electric. Hurdles must continue to be cleared for any of the competing alternatives to successfully gain market share. Tese include the reduction of vehicle cost, conveniently available refueling infra- structure, expanded vehicle comparable mpg range, overall user familiarity with the product, and confidence in the safety and reliability of the new technology. Tese obstacles can be overcome in time, and already we are seeing the incremental costs coming down. Tey will continue to do so, as the engine and vehicle
OEMs enhance their R&D but it will require strategies spanning multiple industries to ensure that the operator realizes the full benefit of the new technologies. School bus operators need to assess the overall impact on the
life-cycle cost, including setting reserves for their future replace- ment when switching to alternative fuels. Ultimately the operator will determine what fuels and vehicles will dominate the market of the future. What is clear today is that their choices are becom- ing more varied. From the alternative fuel vehicle options now available, to better performing diesel vehicles, consumers have choices to make going forward on how to invest their money and how to shape the future. ●
Pudlewski is STN’s technical editor and a 40- plus year veteran of the school bus industry. He is the retired vice president of fleet operations, procurement and maintenance for Laidlaw and is a member of the NSTA Hall of Fame.
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