Propane Autogas Fueling Blue Bird School Buses on the Move in Wisconsin
There are many paths to decarbonization on school bus routes as alternatives to gasoline or diesel. Propane is one of those fueling alternatives gaining favor among multiple districts nationwide.
Seymour Community School District in eastern Wisconsin is adding 20 Blue Bird Vision propane-powered school buses. The new fleet is contracted through Kobussen Buses, which will fuel the new buses at Kobussen’s propane station at a locked-in rate of $1.20 per gallon of propane.
“This type of alternatively fueled bus reflects our commitment to providing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation for our students while also being mindful of our community’s future,” said Kellie Bohn, district administrator of Seymour Community School District, in a statement.
Propane autogas is cleaner on an emissions basis than unleaded gasoline and also has a lower carbon content than diesel fuel. It is energy dense due to the high content of hydrogen in the molecular chain. The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) estimates that propane-powered school buses will produce 96% less toxic emissions than diesel buses, including pollutants such as nitrogen oxide.
For the Seymour Community School District, each of the new Blue Bird Vision Propane 77-passenger school buses is equipped with a 7.3L V8 Ford engine and ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system.
They were purchased from Blue Bird’s regional dealer, Wisconsin Bus Sales. Country Visions Cooperative will serve as fuel provider for the first five years.
“Blue Bird is proud to see Seymour Community School District, through its partnership with Kobussen Buses, transition to ultra-low emission propane buses,” said Steve Whaley, alternative fuels manager for Blue Bird Corporation. “These vehicles deliver exceptional performance while significantly reducing emissions, creating a healthier environment for students and the community.”
PERC also estimates that more than 15,000 propane autogas school buses are running routes nationwide across more than 840 districts. In Wisconsin, more than 40 school districts are operating over 1,000 propane autogas buses, the group’s map indicates
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EnergyTech Staff
Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 17 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.
Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.
He can be reached at [email protected].
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