WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the first time ever, more than 20,000 propane autogas buses were at the ready in public and private school districts across the United States at the start of the school year in 2020, according to new figures from the Propane Education & Research Council. This is a 10 percent increase from 2019 vehicle numbers and it’s also the first full school year with propane autogas buses in use by more than 1,000 school districts or contractors.
“It’s encouraging to know that more than 1,000 districts from coast to coast are realizing just how clean, quiet, and affordable their fleet can be with propane autogas,” said Steve Whaley, director of autogas business development at PERC. “Propane’s benefits impact everyone: districts save money thanks to its lowest total cost of ownership, students have a cleaner and quieter ride to school, and the community reaps the benefits of propane’s low emissions. It’s no surprise districts are converting their entire fleets to propane autogas.”
The new data, compiled by PERC from IHS Polk new vehicle registration figures, shows propane autogas school buses are being implemented on a national scale. Since 2012, there’s been a 960 percent growth in the number 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 of school districts with Type C propane autogas school buses adopt additional propane buses, outperforming other alternative fuels, including CNG and gasoline. Propane continues to be the most popular alternative fuel for the school bus industry.
For more information on propane autogas school buses, visit Propane.com/School-Transportation.
About PERC
The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.
