$1.4 Billion Dollars in Federal Grants Now Available for Propane Buses and Vans The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) is accepting grant applications to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses, related…
The Waterford School District (WSD) introduced 10 new propane-fueled school buses into its fleet in 2016. They've joined with almost 30 other school districts in the state by operating Blue…
Among the considerations fleets must review before switching to an alternative fuel are vehicle miles driven in a day, total cost of ownership, infrastructure improvements, and fuel price. For Lake…
Propane-fueled vehicles are easier to maintain and last longer than gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles. The cost savings is significant for city governments, and with the $4,000 rebate available from the…
Caring for the environment is everyone’s responsibility. By choosing propane, one of the cleanest energy sources available today, you are making a change for the better. Switching to propane is…
Based in Boyne City, Charlevoix County Public Transit runs their fleet of vehicles on propane. Ryan Novotny runs the operation. “I made the decision to go with propane fueled vehicles…
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation has been implementing their propane-fueled vehicles (known as Autogas) into their traditional diesel-fueled fleet starting in 2015. Over the last four years they have…
Over 400 Michigan school buses are running on propane, saving costs on fluids, filters, fuel, and repairs while keeping students safe. Michigan's Largest School Bus FleetABC Student Transportation ABC Student…
Over 10,000 Michigan vehicles run on propane - 400 being school buses - and the number is growing. Propane fuel, known as Autogas, offers students a safe, clean ride while…
Michigan Propane Gas Association
629 West Hillsdale
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 312-0097
International Buses:
Blue Bird Buses:
Thompson Buses
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Full-size pickups, crew-size pickups, SUVs, transit vans, delivery vans, beverage trucks, large walk-ins, refrigerator vans, and semi-trucks.
$50,000
3.5 years
15.8 short tons
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FEDEX, ect.):
Ave. Life Span 7-15 years, using 3,000 to 10,000 propane gallons/year
Work Trucks:
Ave. Life Span 5 – 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 propane gallons/year
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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Full-size pickups, crew-size pickups, SUVs, utility vans, transit vans/buses, landscape trucks, bucket trucks, and garbage trucks.
$43,500
3.5 years
5 short tons
Work Trucks:
Ave. Life span 5 – 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 propane gallons/year
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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Sedans, Crossovers, Hatchbacks Full-size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.
$34,000
7 years
21.1 short tons
Dodge Charger:
Ave. Life Span of 3 – 4 years, using 2,300 to 2,600 propane gallons/year
Work Trucks:
Ave. Life Span 5 – 7 years, using 2,500 to 7,500 propane gallons/year
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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Mini Bus, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Ambulances.
143 short tons
Shuttle Buses:
Ave. Life Span 5-8 years, using 3,000 – 8,000 propane gallons/yr.
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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Full-size pickups, crew-size pickups, SUVs, transit vans, delivery vans, beverage trucks, large walk-ins, refrigerator vans, and semi-trucks.
143 short tons
Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FEDEX, Etc.):
Ave. Life Span 7 – 15 years, using 3,000-10,000 propane gallons/year.
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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Full-size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Mini Bus, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.
143 short tons
Shuttle Buses:
Ave. Life Span of 5 – 8 years, using 3,000 – 8,000 propane gallons/year
Work Trucks:
Ave. Life Span of 5 – 7 years, using 2,000 – 5,000 propane gallons/year
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Sources:
Altnerative fuels Data Center (AFDC)
AFLEET Online Calculator / Argonne National Laboratory
West Virginia University Alternative Fuels: Comparison of Maintenance Cost of Medium and Heavy-Duty Comparison
ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio
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| Fuel Type | Light Duty | School Buses | Paratransit | Single Unit Short-Haul Truck | Single Unit Long-Haul Truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Propane |
$60,000 |
$140,000 |
$48,000 |
$104,000 |
$89,000 |
|
Electric |
$93,000 |
$410,000 |
$93,000 |
$250,000 |
$185,000 |
|
Diesel |
$63,000 |
$138,000 |
$53,000 |
$90,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Gasoline |
$52,000 |
N/A |
$42,000 |
$90,000 |
$75,000 |
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| Propane | Gasoline | Diesel | Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chemical Structure |
C3H8 (majority) and C4H10 (minority) |
C4 to C12 and Ethanol ≤ to 10% |
C8 to C25 |
N/A |
|
Fuel Material (feedstocks) |
Fats and oils from sources such as soybeans, waste cooking oil, animal fats, and rapeseed |
Crude Oil |
Crude Oil |
Natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar, and small percentages of geothermal and biomass |
|
Gasoline or Diesel Gallon Equivalent (GGE or DGE) |
1 gal = 0.74 GGE 1 gal = 0.66 DGE |
1 gal = 1.00 GGE 1 gal = 0.88 DGE |
1 gal = 1.12 GGE 1 gal = 1.00 DGE |
1 kWh = 0.030 GGE 1 kWh = 0.027 DGE |
|
Energy Comparison (GGE = Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) |
gallon of propane has 73% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the lower energy density of propane. |
1 gallon of gasoline has 97%–100% of the energy in 1 GGE. Standard fuel is 90% gasoline, 10% ethanol. |
1 gallon of diesel has 113% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the higher energy density of diesel fuel. |
A typical battery that is the same size as a gallon of gas (0.134 ft3), when used for transportation, can store 15.3% of the energy in 1 GGE. [6][7] |
|
Energy Content (lower heating value) |
84,250 Btu/gal (c) |
112,114– 116,090 Btu/gal (c) |
128,488 Btu/gal (c) |
3,414 Btu/kWh |
|
Energy Content (higher heating value) |
91,420 Btu/gal (c) |
120,388– 124,340 Btu/gal (c) |
138,490 Btu/gal (c) |
3,414 Btu/kWh |
|
Physical State |
Pressurized liquid (heavier than air as a gas) |
Liquid |
Liquid |
Electricity |
|
Cetane Number |
N/A |
N/A |
40–55 (d) |
N/A |
|
Pump Octane Number |
105 (g) |
84–93 (f) |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Flash Point |
-100° to -150°F (j) |
45°F (j) |
165°F (j) |
N/A |
|
Autoignition Temperature |
850° to 950°F (j) |
495°F (j) |
~600°F (j) |
N/A |
|
Maintenance Issues |
|
|
Lubricity is improved over that of conventional low sulfur diesel fuel. For more maintenance information see, the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines—Fifth Edition. (d) |
|
|
Energy Security Impacts |
Approximately half of U.S. LPG is derived from oil, but no oil is imported specifically for LPG production. |
Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l) |
Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l) |
Electricity is produced domestically from a wide range of sources, including through coal-fired power plants and renewable sources, making it a versatile fuel. |
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| Fuel Type | School Buses |
|---|---|
|
Propane |
$108,000 |
|
Electric |
$300,000 |
|
Diesel |
$100,000 |
|
Diesel HEV |
$160,000 |
|
CNG |
$130,000 |
|
Gasoline |
|
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47 usable gallons
67 usable gallons
93 usable gallons
$140,000
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| Chassis | 7.3L Version | GVWR | 0.05 NOx |
|---|---|---|---|
|
E-350 |
Premium |
10,050 |
N/A |
|
E-350 |
Economy |
10,050 |
N/A |
|
Economy |
E-450 |
14,000 |
N/A |
|
Premium |
E-450 |
14,200 |
Yes |
|
E-450 |
Premium |
14,500 |
Yes |
| Chevy/GMC | Ford |
|---|---|
|
32 Gallons |
40 Gallons |
$108,000
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