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Industry News
Schools Surpass 20,000 Propane
Autogas Buses this Year
By: Brian Richesson
on a national scale. Since 2012,
there’s been a 960 percent
growth in the number of
propane autogas school buses
on the road in the U.S., marking
a strong eight-year stretch for
propane autogas in the school
transportation market. The
buses transport more than 1.23
million students in 48 states,
and 14 states now have more
than 500 propane autogas
buses within their borders.
Propane autogas school
buses are also succeeding with
repeat purchases, according to
the data. Sixty-three percent
Data shows propane autogas school buses are being implemented on a na- of school districts with Type C
tional scale. Photo courtesy of the Propane Education & Research Council propane autogas school buses
adopt additional propane buses,
outperforming other alternative
or the first time ever, more affordable their fleet can be with fuels, including CNG and
than 20,000 propane propane autogas,” says Steve gasoline, PERC notes. Propane
Fautogas buses were at Whaley, director of autogas continues to be the most
the ready in public and private business development at PERC. popular alternative fuel for the
school districts across the “Propane’s benefits impact school bus industry.
United States at the start of the everyone: Districts save money
school year in 2020, according thanks to its lowest total cost- SOURCE:www.lpgasmagazine.
to new figures from the Propane of-ownership; students have com, Brian Richesson, November
Education & Research Council a cleaner and quieter ride to 20,2020
(PERC). school; and the community
This is a 10 percent increase reaps the benefits of propane’s For more information
from 2019 vehicle numbers, and low emissions. It’s no surprise
it’s also the first full school year districts are converting their CLICK HERE
with propane autogas buses in entire fleets to propane
use by more than 1,000 school autogas.”
districts or contractors. The new data, compiled
“It’s encouraging to know by PERC from IHS Polk new
that more than 1,000 districts vehicle registration figures,
from coast to coast are realizing shows propane autogas school
just how clean, quiet and buses are being implemented
6 Propane Magazine November/December 2020
