W
ith the federal Clean School Bus Program making available $2.5 billion for electric buses and $2.5 billion for alternative fuels including propane and renewable fuels over a five-year span, districts are increasingly weighing their options and
looking at the preparation, planning and infrastructure work needed to add alternative vehicles to their fleet. Acquiring electric buses, of course, entails installing charging stations
and all the construction work that can go along with them. Implement- ing propane buses is a less arduous process, but it still means arranging for fuel deliveries, installing new pumps and tanks, or making other fueling plans. Districts that already have electric and propane buses say that the assistance of their bus vendors, fuel companies and utilities is necessary to ensure transitions proceed smoothly. Along with fueling and charging plans, preparation also means train- ing mechanics and drivers, and strategizing how buses will fit into the new fleet (and facility), including what routes will be the best fit. Grant funds for electric school buses require deployment in underserved, low-income neighborhoods. And understanding all the requirements and options for funding from the Clean School Bus Program and other sources is key.
Preparing for Propane Adding propane buses to a fleet can be relatively easy, thanks in part
to support from fuel vendors that help districts figure out the scale of necessary infrastructure and often provide mobile fueling platforms or financial support for permanent infrastructure along with fuel deliveries. “The simplicity of the fuel system is a major benefit of switching
to propane,” said Chelsea Uphaus, director of marketing for ROUSH CleanTech, an advanced transportation solutions company that man- ufacturers propane fuel systems. “A lot of the larger propane marketers will provide propane infrastructure to you at no up-front cost. The only requirement is to sign a contract with the propane marketer to purchase propane fuel from them over a certain timeframe. Many school bus fleets lock in an annual per-gallon fuel cost for propane so that their fuel price and supply remains consistent, allowing for better budgeting, too.”
Read more about propane-powered school buses and the benefits propane advocates are citing at
stnonline.com/go/ba.
www.stnonline.com 37
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