5 Reasons Why Construction Pros Should Drive Trucks Fueled by Propane Autogas

In today's tight economy, builders, remodelers, and other construction pros are always looking for ways to cut costs. One option? Switch from gasoline (or diesel) to propane autogas. Companies with fleet vehicles — buses, taxis, shuttles, and the like — caught on to the benefits of propane autogas a while back. Now it's time for owners of light- and medium-duty trucks and vans to do the same.

Here are five reasons why pros should consider making the switch.

SMART SCHOOLS RUN PROPANE BUSES

The momentum is building for propane-autogas-fueled school buses.

The autogas industry just notched a big win in delivering 134 propane-fueled buses to the Portland (Ore.) and Seattle school districts, School Transportation News reported. And remember, Portland schools have been operating autogas-fueled buses for about 20 years. To re-up and buy even more buses is a strong statement of support in these tight financial times.

Read more here.

Propane-fueled school buses meeting expectations

Hall County recently introduced 20 alternatively powered buses to its fleet and is already looking to add more.

Over the summer, Hall County Schools purchased 20 buses that run on liquefied petroleum gas, or propane, as it’s more commonly known.

The buses, officials and drivers said, have met expectations and the system has signed on to add 10 more, including six special education buses.

“We’re still very pleased with them,” said Jewel Armour, Hall County Schools executive director of operations. “The drivers seemed to be very pleased. I’ve really heard nothing but good reports from them.”

Read more here.

W.Va. Could Have Propane-Powered School Buses in 2013

The next generation of propane-powered school buses in West Virginia could be on the road at the beginning of the next school year.

The West Virginia Board of Education on Oct. 4 approved a request from the state Department of Education to allow it to include propane as an alternative fuel in the specifications for school buses.

Because of funding cycles and the fiscal year, state money to help with the purchase of propane-powered buses won't be available until July 1, said Bob Shew, transportation director for the state Department of Education.

West Virginia's public schools buy about 200 buses a year, Shew said.

"It remains to be seen as to how quickly the county are willing to take advantage of the 40 percent reduction in fuel costs," he said.

Read more here.

CleanFUEL USA and Collins Bus Corporation Deliver More than 100 Propane Autogas-Powered Buses

GEORGETOWN, Texas –– November 14, 2012 – CleanFUEL USA and Collins Bus Corporation today announced the delivery of 134 propane autogas school buses to First Student, Inc., the largest provider of student transportation services in North America. The buses will be used by First Student to provide bus service to Seattle Public Schools and Portland Public Schools.

The purchase of the buses was made possible through a grant provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), as part of a national effort to establish networks of propane autogas refueling stations and incentivize the use of propane powered vehicles. Through this effort, the DOE estimates millions of gallons of petroleum will be displaced annually, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.  First Student received a grant of $890,000 toward the purchase of 89 buses placed in service for Portland Public Schools and $450,000 for 45 buses to be used in Seattle.

The Collins propane powered NEXBUS used by First Student is Collins’ latest design, offering superior strength and safety through innovative features such as high-strength tube steel roof bows and increased driver visibility. The NEXBUS is Altoona tested and certified and meets or exceeds all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) certifications for school transportation, including the highest standards for fuel system integrity. The bus is built on a dual rear-wheel GM chassis, utilizing the GM 6.0 liter engine. It exhibits an estimated range in excess of 300 miles and is available in capacities up to 32 passengers. The propane autogas fuel system was developed in partnership with CleanFUEL USA and has obtained certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.  

CleanFUEL USA, along with the DOE, Collins Bus Corporation and First Student, will hold a check presentation and media event for the Portland and Seattle Public Schools at Jefferson High School in Portland on Thursday, November 15 at 10 a.m. PST. The event is open to the public.

Propane autogas is the third most widely used transportation fuel globally, behind gasoline and diesel, and is proven to be a more attractive option from an economic and environmental standpoint. As the lowest greenhouse gas emitting fuel, propane autogas averages 40 to 50 percent less emissions than gasoline and diesel per gallon. There are more than 52,000 propane autogas refueling stations and 17 million propane-powered vehicles worldwide.

Rick Wallace, Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities
John Doswell, Collins Bus Corp
Mark Karney, General Motors
Tucker Perkins, PERC
Teri Brady, Portland Public Schools
Cal Hull, First Student

Making the Case for Propane: From Gas Grills to Cars and Trucks

I’m sitting in a coffee shop with Roy Willis, propane advocate, who’s driven up from New York City to lobby me on using his fuel in cars and trucks, and darn if he isn’t making a compelling case. Why aren’t we using propane—the same stuff as in your backyard gas grille—in our cars? It's possible. Today's internal-combustion cars and trucks can run on CNG, LNG or propane with some fairly simple engine modifications.

Read more here.

Bonham ISD to purchase five propane school buses

The Bonham Independent School District is pleased to announce the purchase of five propane buses to be delivered shortly after the first of the year. The buses were partially funded by grants from Cleanfuel, USA and The Texas Railroad Commission.

The district would like to extend a thank you to the individuals who were involved in the procurement of the grants. Scott Miller and Jarrett Campbell of McCraw Oil, with the assistance of Cheryl Gaines of One Stop Bus Stop, Inc. were instrumental in doing research and writing the grant proposals. The district was able to procure $115,000 in grant money due to the efforts of Scott, Jarrett and Cheryl.

Texas Railroad Commission Touts Importance of Autogas as Fuel

Extolling the virtues of propane and helping the public access alternative fueled vehicles was the purpose of a workshop held by the Railroad Commission Wednesday at Gas and Supply Company near Mineola

The event drew representatives from a variety of entities across Texas, several of whom took part in the Incentives for Propane Fleets program held at the Mineola company. School districts from Lindale, Greenville, Melissa, Carthage, Dallas as well as representatives from the city of Temple were at the seminar.

Read more here.

Fleet Operators Looking at Propane Autogas

For fleet operators, the cost of fuel puts the brakes on their efforts to run at their most efficient. That has some operators looking at such alternative fuels as propane autogas, according to a new study.

Fleet operators spend about 90 percent of their operating costs every month on gasoline or diesel fuel, according to the annual study of fleet operating costs from Automotive Fleet magazine. This holds true for virtually every vehicle type that fleets use – compact and intermediate cars, vans, light trucks, and SUVs.

Read More Here.

Portland and Seattle Public Schools Recognized for Commitment to Autogas

CleanFUEL USA, Collins Bus Corporation and First Student America invite you to presentation from the US Department of Energy for Portland & Seattle Public Schools recognizing their commitment to alternative fuels through the purchase of over 100 propane autogas fueled school buses.

Thursday, November 15th at 10am

Jefferson High School

5210 North Kerby

Portland, Oregon