Derek Roch

In the race to decarbonization and net-zero emissions, electric vehicles have become all the rage, even finding their way into recent, expensive Super Bowl commercials. But the propane industry knows it has a clean, alternative fuel on its hands. Key industry players want autogas-powered vehicles to get their fair time in the spotlight.

And in places like Europe, they’re getting just that. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the markets for battery electric and hybrid electric vehicles in Europe are growing in the alternative power sector.

A major milestone for the North Penn School District and its bus fleet is fast approaching. School board members heard an update on the district’s shift to propane-fueled school buses, and how the shift to propane will continue this year and next.

With their emissions-reducing and cost-cutting benefits, conventional propane vehicles have been available for medium-duty truck fleets for over a decade. But what is the next new advancement when it comes to propane?

Renewable propane.

Randolph Township School District in New Jersey ran into a choice back in 2011: what other options were there available in the alternative fuel world with the changing emissions standards for diesel buses. The answer? Propane. The district became the first in New Jersey to purchase propane school buses, and now operate 100% of their routes on propane powered school buses.

How is it possible for trucks — or any type of vehicle for that matter — to run on propane as its main fuel source? Isn’t that for heating homes or powering generators? You’re not the first to ask!

The Hannibal School District is using funds from incentive programs like the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council to reduce its carbon footprint with propane school buses.

The Pulaski County Special School District in Arkansas is taking 20 of its older diesel school buses off the road and replacing them with new propane models. The district will receive a reimbursement of $98,000 per propane school bus (up to 20 buses) from the state’s Division of Environmental Quality. Eligible expenses include the purchase price of the new buses, delivery costs of the new buses, the cost to scrap and dispose of the buses being replaced, and taxes, if applicable. The district originally started with four propane buses, adding two each year in 2019 and 2020.

The School District of Philadelphia will expand its alternative-fueled fleet in 2023 in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The district has purchased 38 new school buses that will run on propane autogas. Other buses in its fleet run on electricity, diesel and gasoline. The district wants to add several more propane school buses, with a projection to have as many as 70 by 2026.