The Kingston Community School District has made the switch to using a propane fueled bus fleet starting this fall for the 2023-24 school year.
According to ROUSH CleanTech, the school district leased six Blue Bird propane buses and committed to a two-year cost for propane at $1.50 per gallon. This is a 62 percent savings over its diesel price.
Three school district staff members from different departments spoke on a panel about getting buy-in from key decision-makers to launch a successful transition to the propane-autogas school buses.
7.12.23 — Kingston Community School District moves to an all-propane bus fleet when school starts this fall.
What will our transportation world look like in the year 2030 with the goal to make half of all new vehicles sold zero-emissions? What it took the automotive industry to accomplish in 100 years will again happen over the next 10 years.
For many years, alternative fueled vehicles, in particular, propane autogas, were often viewed as an aspirational goal rather than a priority. But as new emissions regulations have tightened and environmental concerns have been raised, alternative fuel vehicles, including propane autogas vehicles, have moved from a “trend” to a need. As a low-cost, low-carbon energy source, more and more fleet owners from coast-to-coast are transitioning to propane autogas.
On the path to zero, propane plays an important role in fighting environmental justice issues
In the collective effort to reduce emissions for a healthier planet, it will take a wide path to zero and a variety of energy sources to enact real change. Whether it’s due to cost, availability, performance, or any number of other factors, there is no one clean energy source that will solve all the world’s energy needs. In fact, waiting for a one-size-fits-all energy source to emerge might be contributing to larger issues.
At the STN East Expo last week in Indianapolis, Kay Cornelius and Diana Mikelski, transportation directors from a couple districts running propane, give their testimonials to their experiences with propane-powered school buses.
Together, Roush and ROUSH CleanTech have been part of many success stories, and our team of 5,000 is proud of those accomplishments. But what we’re most proud of is being part of a uniquely innovative and collaborative family. Jack Roush’s entrepreneurial vision, determination and never-quit philosophy remains at the core of our organization, and that sense of excitement is palpable when you step on-site.
With the growing concerns surrounding greenhouse gas emissions, volatile fuel prices and the need for energy independence, propane autogas has emerged as a reliable solution for fleet operators. By transitioning to this clean-burning fuel, fleets can enjoy numerous benefits, from environmental stewardship to substantial cost savings.
Electric vehicles seem to take up most of the oxygen in the room any time someone mentions alternative fuels, but let’s not forget that there are other options — some of which might be more viable for some delivery applications than others. Among those is propane autogas, which has a number of advantages going for it.
