The quantity of propane school bus registrations in the U.S. increased 700 percent in the last five years, according to new vehicle registration reports compiled by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).
PERC used IHS Polk new vehicle registration data. PERC also confirmed is that propane-powered school buses are transporting about 928,000 students to and from school daily at over 840 public and private school districts in 48 states.
The number of propane-powered school buses in operation at the end of the first quarter of 2018 was over 15,200 nationwide. In 2017 alone, 90 new school districts and bus contractors changed to propane school buses for the first time.
In addition, 10 states—Texas, California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Florida and Ohio—each have more than 500 propane school buses in operation. PERC’s interactive propane school bus map illustrates how many school buses are on the road in each state.
“There’s a lot to like about propane school buses for community stakeholders and school officials. School districts across the nation continue to take notice,” said Michael Taylor, PERC director of autogas business development. “Compared to other fuels, propane school buses are quieter and offer reduced emissions, which makes them a better option for students, drivers and the community. Plus, they cost less for the district to operate, so schools can put more money back into the classroom where it helps students most.”
Earlier this month, PERC released an online video that detailed what it said was an increasing trend in propane school bus use.
