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…
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…
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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