1. Alternative Fuel School Buses: A View for School Boards

2. Outline of Presentation
What Are Alternative Fuels?
Are They Safe?
Why Do We Need Alternative Fuels?
Opportunity for Leadership
Alternative Fuel School Buses at Work Across America
What Is Available in Alternative Fuel School Buses?
What are the Benefits and Costs of Alternative Fuel Use?
For More Information

3. What Are Alternative Fuels?
“Alternative Fuel” refers to vehicle fuels other than gasoline or diesel. For example,
Natural Gas
Propane
Ethanol
Biodiesel
Electricity
Hydrogen
“Alternative Fuel” definition based on Energy Policy Act of 1992 definitions.

4. Are Alternative Fuel School Buses Safe?
School buses are one of the safest modes of transportation on the highway: alternative fuels don’t significantly impact this safety
No known school bus fatalities have resulted from an alternative fuel system
Alternative fuel school buses meet all conventional bus safety standards plus additional safety standards for alternative fuels (tank safety cages, etc.)
Safety statements are provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (
According to NHTSA, school buses must meet more Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards than any other type of vehicles.
School buses are 87 times safer than passenger cars, light trucks, and vans.

5. Why Do We Need Alternative Fuels?
Enhance health conditions for students and neighborhoods through reduced exhaust emissions
Many regions of the U.S. are facing significant air quality attainment issues as populations grow
Alternative fuel vehicles usually have better emissions performance than equivalent conventional fuel vehicles
School buses very visible in the community, and cleaner is better
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, riders inside a diesel bus can be exposed to as much as 4 times the exhaust toxics as someone outside the bus: alternative fuels can reduce these emissions
The qualifier “usually” refers to potential NOx increases for biodiesel vehicles. Also, older alternative fuel conversions are not necessarily cleaner than newer conventional fuel vehicles.
Source for toxic emissions quote: NRDC Report entitled “No Breathing in the Aisles”, quote found in Alternative Fuel News article “Alternative Fuel School Buses Earn High Marks”, AFN Vol.5 No.3.
Coordinator homework: Is your state or region in non-attainment for the major pollutants regulated by EPA? (See for more information.)
Coordinator Homework: What are the problem pollutants in your area? This may dictate which alternative fuels are best for reducing emissions in your area.

6. Why Do We Need Alternative Fuels?
Reduce American Use of Petroleum Fuels
Over half of U.S. transportation petroleum use is imported
In some states, imported petroleum use for transportation is as high as 85%
The current political climate can create significant price spikes for petroleum fuels, which could affect operations of school bus fleets, with potential interruptions in service
Imported petroleum facts from EIA and DOE. Transportation petroleum imports of 85% based on New York State information.
Coordinator Homework: See the EIA website ( or your state energy office to determine how much petroleum is imported in your state.
Coordinator Homework: Is your state governor expressed a commitment or interest in alternative fuels? Many states are looking at comprehensive energy plans that may feed into a local interest in alternative fuels.

7. U.S. Highway Transportation Uses More Oil Than is Produced Domestically18 16
School bus fuel use falls mostly here 14 12 10
Million Barrels per Day 8 6
Slide taken from DOE Clean Cities Program information.
Emphasize the “gap” between domestic production and transportation use. 4 2
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
Source: Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 18; DOE/ORNL-6941, September 1998, and EIA Annual
Energy Outlook 1999, DOE/EIA-0383(99), December 1998

8. Opportunity for Leadership
Alternative fuel buses offer a chance for the school system to be an environmental leader in the community
These vehicles also offer public relations benefits to the schools
Very visible vehicles in the community
Cleaner vehicles (lower exhaust emissions)
Quieter vehicles
The vehicles can be tied to an environmental and energy curriculum for students in the school
Buses acclimate students to alternative fuels to enable future acceptance of AFVs by current generations of students
Provide visible opportunities to partner with other organizations and jurisdictions within the community or metropolitan area to achieve common goals

9. Alternative Fuel Buses Are at Work Throughout America
Currently over 2,500 alternative fuel school buses in U.S.
21 states across the U.S. in a wide range of applications and climates
Natural gas, propane, biodiesel
Displacing 4-5 million gallons of petroleum each year
Number of buses and locations based on two sources: “Alternative Fuel School Buses Earn High Marks” and a Union of Concerned Scientists report entitled “Pollution Report Card: Grading America’s School Bus Fleets”.
Coordinator Homework: Is there anyone near your specific school district that is already using alternative fuels?

10. Types of School Buses
Small cutaway on van-type chassis, up to 12,000 lb GVW (Type A) or 14,500 lb (Type B)
(A)
Conventional bus on medium-duty truck chassis, up to 31,000 lb GVW
This slide provides a general idea of what the terminology is for school bus types. It is helpful to review this information with school boards who may be familiar with bus types, especially showing that alternative fuel products are available for most bus types.
(A)
Transit-style bus on medium-duty truck chassis, up to 36,000 lb GVW
(A) = Alternative Fuel Option Available

11. Available Products Several products available
Type D (transit-style school bus)
DOE is working with manufacturers to develop a Type C natural gas bus
Mostly natural gas vehicles
A new Type C propane school bus platform is now available for 2004
No specific biodiesel products: biodiesel blends (up to 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel) can be used in most diesel engines
Propane conversions are still available, for GM 8.1 liter gasoline engines (see Technocarb for more information,
Remind users to check with their diesel equipment manufacturer about their policy on biodiesel use: some manufacturers will not provide a warranty for engines that have been using biodiesel in blends above 5%.
DOE is working with prominent manufacturers to identify opportunities for new Type C natural gas products. A Type C dedicated propane product is now available.

12. Benefits and Costs of Using Alternative Fuels
Natural Gas Buses
Fuel can be as much as 40 cents per gallon equivalent cheaper; local prices vary
Some school systems are saving between 12 and 20 cents per mile with natural gas buses
Maintenance costs are usually lower than for diesel
Possible significant emission reductions relative to current diesel engines (especially particulates and NOx)
Many operators comment on quieter operation of natural gas buses
Many areas already have natural gas refueling in place; school system can cooperate with other districts and local governments to share refueling sites
Buses cost ~$30,000 more than conventional buses
Refueling infrastructure costly (starting around $250,000); price highly dependent on speed and volume refueling requirements
Information on fuel prices from Clean Cities Fuel Price Survey (
Estimates on operational cost savings based on information a number of school systems across the country.
Emission reductions for NOx about 40% and for PM about 90% (based on “Pollution Report Card” information).
Coordinator Homework: What is the price differential for alternative fuels from refueling stations in your area?
Coordinator Homework: What refueling sites are available in your area for alternative fuels? AFDC offers a refueling site locator at

13. Benefits and Costs of Using Alternative Fuels (cont.)
Biodiesel Blends
Can be used with existing vehicles: no vehicle incremental costs
Can use existing diesel refueling infrastructure
Fuel widely available
Fuel can cost cents more per gallon (if used in 20% blend with regular diesel)
Some increased maintenance (fuel filters), especially during first months of use
Significant particulate matter emission reductions from diesel engines
Propane
Fuel cost dependent on area suppliers (can be more or less than diesel)
Vehicle cost ~$30,000 more (estimated): most propane buses are conversions of Type C buses
Refueling infrastructure not as expensive as natural gas, and many areas already have propane refueling available
Maintenance costs lower than for diesel (e.g. increased oil change intervals
Notable emission reductions relative to current diesel engines
Savings of as much as $1,335 per vehicle per year have been seen by propane bus fleets
Biodiesel prices based on Clean Cities Fuel Price Survey.
According to the National Biodiesel Board ( PM emissions for B20 average about 12% less than conventional diesel, but with an approximate 2% rise in NOx emissions.
Propane emission reductions can be on the order of 50% for NOX and 90% for PM.
Cost savings provided for propane by school bus fleets.

14. Funding Sources for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Projects
DOE Clean Cities State Energy Program Special Projects
Can fund incremental cost of vehicles and cost of refueling stations
Work with local Clean Cities Program to submit grant requests for projects
SEP is a competitive solicitation offered yearly
SEP School Bus Application Template available at
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding
Available through local planning organizations, administered by state DOT
Availability for alternative fuel projects varies by state
State funds
Local government funds
Foundation funds
Partnering with fuel providers to offset infrastructure costs or to reduce maintenance and operational costs or fuel costs
Coordinator Homework: Does your state or local government offer any funding for alternative fuel vehicles?
Many states, especially larger ones like New York, California, and Texas, offer some funding sources for AFVs and infrastructure. For more information on state laws and incentives, visit
Availability of foundation grant dollars for alternative fuel projects will vary. Some foundations will consider these types of projects, while others will not. Sources for finding foundations include and

15. In Summary Proven Technology in Use throughout U.S.
Reduce Local Dependence on Imported Petroleum
Schools are a “Better Neighbor”
Lower emissions (visible and odor): important for areas of operation and for student health
Buses can be significantly quieter
Potential for Overall Cost Savings
Funds Available to Offset Some Costs

16. For More Information National Clean Cities Program
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
Propane Vehicle Council
National Biodiesel Board
National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
“Alternative Fuel School Buses Earn High Marks”, Alternative Fuel News Volume 5 Number 3
The AFN citation offers a very good overview of the alternative fuel school bus issues in terms of emissions.
Coordinator Homework: Are there any successful local alternative fuel fleet contacts you can add here?