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Michigan Propane Gas Association
629 West Hillsdale
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-487-2021

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School Buses

EPA Certified Engines

International Buses:

  • CE Series

Blue Bird Buses:

  • Micro Bird G5
  • Vision Activity

Thompson Buses

  • Saf-T-Liner® C2

Average Purchase Price

$108,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.61/mile

Average ROI Time

1.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.75 short tons

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Food/Beverage Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks. 

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.21/mile

Average ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Dodge Charger
  • 2019 and newer Ford Explorer
  • Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include: 

  • 2019 and newer Ford F-150
  • 2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
  • 2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

  • 2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

  • 2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-350
  • 2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-750

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Service/Utility Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Transit Vans/Buses, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks.

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.21/mile

Average ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Dodge Charger
  • 2019 and newer Ford Explorer
  • Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include: 

  • 2019 and newer Ford F-150
  • 2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
  • 2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

  • 2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

  • 2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-350
  • 2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-750

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Police/EMT Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Sedans, Crossovers, Hatchbacks Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.

Average Purchase Price

$50,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.21/mile

Average ROI Time

3.4 years

Annual GHG Emissions

20.13 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Dodge Charger
  • 2019 and newer Ford Explorer
  • Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include: 

  • 2019 and newer Ford F-150
  • 2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
  • 2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

  • 2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

  • 2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-350
  • 2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Paratransit Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Mini Bus, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Ambulances.

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-750

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Delivery Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks. 

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Class 4 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-750

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Municipality Vehicles

Example Vehicles:
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.

Annual GHG Emissions

143 short tons

EPA Certified Engines

Class 1 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Dodge Charger
  • 2019 and newer Ford Explorer
  • Ford Ranger

Class 2 Vehicles

  • 2019 and newer Ford Transit T150, T250, T350 Wagons/Vans/Cutaways
  • 2019 and newer RAM Promaster 1500, 2500, 3500
  • 2019 and newer 2500, 3500 GM Express/Savanna

Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).

Examples of a Class 2A truck include: 

  • 2019 and newer Ford F-150
  • 2019 and 2021 RAM 1500
  • 2019 and newer Chevrolet 1500

Examples of a Class 2B truck include:

  • 2019 and newer Chevy Silverado 2500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-250

Class 3 Vehicles

  • 2020 and newer Chevy Silverado 3500
  • 2019 and newer Ford F-350
  • 2019 F-450

Class 4 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-450 (chassis cab)

Class 5 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-550

Class 6 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-650

Class 7 Vehicles

  • 2019 Ford F-750

Fleet usage of propane in sectors optimal for
propane Fuel (Autogas) include:

  • Shuttle Buses: average life span of 5 to 8 years, utilizing 3,000 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • School Buses: average life span of 10 to 15 years, utilizing 2,500 to 8,000 gallons a year
  • Package Delivery Trucks (UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.): average life span of 7 to 15 years, utilizing 3,000 to 10,000 gallons a year
  • Work Trucks: average life span of 5 to 7 years, utilizing 2,500 to 7,500 gallons a year
  • Taxi or similar vehicle: average life span of 5 to 10 years, utilizing 2,000 to 6,000 gallons a year
 
Source: ICOM North America March 2023 Article; BPNews: The Ever-Growing Case for Autogas – Albie Venezio 

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Purchase Cost Comparisons

Fuel Type Light Duty School Buses Paratransit Single Unit Short-Haul Truck Single Unit Long-Haul Truck
Propane
$50,000
$108,000
$0
$78,000
$89,000
Electric
$93,000
$300,000
$900,000
$150,000
$185,000
Diesel
$53,000
$100,000
$500,000
$70,000
$75,000
Gasoline
$42,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Source: https://afleet.es.anl.gov/afleet/

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Fuel Properties Comparison

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.

Source: https://afdc.energy.gov/files/u/publication/fuel_comparison_chart.pdf

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Purchase Cost Comparisons

Fuel Type School Buses
Propane
$108,000
Electric
$300,000
Diesel
$100,000
Diesel HEV
$160,000
CNG
$130,000
Gasoline

Source: https://afleet.es.anl.gov/afleet/

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Blue Bird Type C School Bus

Fuel Tank Options

47 usable gallons

67 usable gallons

93 usable gallons

Average Purchase Price

$108,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.61/mile

Average ROI Time

1.4 years

Fuel and Maintenance savings

$3,700 per bus each year.

Annual Avg. GHG Emissions

20.75 short tons

Source: https://www.roushcleantech.com/micro-bird-product-page/

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Micro Bird G5 School Bus

Technical Specs

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

Fuel Tank Options

Chevy/GMC Ford
32 Gallons
40 Gallons

Average Purchase Price

$108,000

Average Maintenance Cost

$0.61/mile

Average ROI Time

1.4 years

Fuel and Maintenance savings

$3,700 per bus each year.

Annual Avg. GHG Emissions

20.75 short tons

Source: https://www.roushcleantech.com/micro-bird-product-page/

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