School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New apps estimate cost savings with propane

The Propane Education & Research Council’s calculator tools compare propane costs to those of conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel.

October 24, 2014
New apps estimate cost savings with propane

The Propane Education & Research Council’s calculator tools compare propane costs to those of conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel.

2 min to read


WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has released a suite of cost calculator tools that estimate potential fuels savings and return on investment with propane.

The calculators compare propane costs to those of conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel. The tools are designed for customers in three of the industry’s fastest-growing markets: agriculture, commercial landscape and on-road fleets.

Ad Loading...

“One of the main reasons fleets, agribusiness operators or commercial landscapers consider making a switch to an alternative fuel like propane is simple: They want to improve their bottom line,” said Tucker Perkins, PERC’s chief business development officer. “With these new applications, equipment dealers, propane providers and customers can easily calculate fuel costs with propane specific to their market and operations. And with the online and mobile tools, they can share results on the spot via e-mail.”

The PERC cost calculator series currently includes the Propane Irrigation Engine Calculator, the Propane Mower Calculator and the Propane Autogas Calculator. They are available in multiple platforms:

• The web tools can be operated online at propanecostcalculator.com.
• The calculators can be downloaded as a desktop tool.
• Downloadable worksheets can be printed and filled in by hand.
• Mobile applications are available for phones and tablets in app stores for Apple and Android devices.
• Results from the applications can also be shared by e-mail.

More Alternative Fuels

A yellow school bus with its red stop arm extended is stopped to load or unload students as a blurred child crosses in the foreground, illustrating the importance of motorists stopping for school buses and protecting students in the loading zone.
Alternative FuelsAugust 12, 2026

The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom

Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Hendrickson's new ELECTRAAX electric axle system, featuring a red electric drive axle assembly with high-voltage orange cables connected to a control module. The Hendrickson logo and tagline, "The World Rides On Us," appear above the product against an orange gradient background, with a "New Product" label in the upper left and the School Bus Fleet logo in the lower right.
Alternative FuelsAugust 12, 2026

Hendrickson, Driventic Introduce New Electric Powertrain for School Buses

ELECTRAAX, the electrified, lightweight drive axle offers integrated ePowertrain efficiency and modular flexibility for Class 6–7 school bus use.

Read More →
Graphic announcing an acquisition update, showing The Mobility House and PowerFlex logos over a background image of electric school buses at a charging depot, indicating The Mobility House's acquisition of PowerFlex.
Alternative Fuelsby News/Media ReleaseAugust 10, 2026

The Mobility House Joins PowerFlex in Fleet Electrification Deal

The acquisition combines intelligent charging software, bidirectional charging expertise, and fleet electrification services to support the growing adoption of electric school buses across North America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an electric school bus with charging infrastructure and text reading "Electric School Buses Hit the Road."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesAugust 7, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric School Bus Investments Hit the Road

See which districts across the U.S. are putting electric school buses into service, expanding charging infrastructure, and planning the next phase of fleet electrification.

Read More →
Close-up of a person refueling a yellow school bus with propane. The fuel nozzle is connected to the bus's propane fueling port, illustrating an alternative fuel option for school transportation fleets.

With Fuel Volatility Ahead, School Districts Turn to Propane

While diesel prices peaked above $5 this spring, districts with propane autogas-powered fleets paid under $2 per gallon, according to PERC.

Read More →
Graphic announcing the EPA's proposed 2027 heavy-duty engine rule changes, featuring an open school bus engine compartment in the background with the EPA logo and the headline, "The EPA's 2027 Proposal Is Here. What's Changing?" alongside School Bus Fleet branding.
Alternative Fuelsby StaffJuly 11, 2026

EPA Unveils Proposed Changes to 2027 Heavy-Duty Engine Rules

The federal agency has proposed changes to next year’s targets that would eliminate DEF derates, ease warranty requirements, and retain current NOx emissions standards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an InCharge Energy technician working and text reading "EV Charging & Infrastructure Gains."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesJuly 10, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: EV Charging & Infrastructure Projects Gain Momentum

The latest developments include new funding, charging infrastructure, utility investments, and fleet technologies designed to support the transition to electric school buses nationwide.

Read More →
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of the back end of an electric bus next to charging infrastructure and text reading "Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesJune 12, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus

See how districts are pairing electric buses with charging, solar, and V2G technology to cut costs, boost resilience, and unlock new fleet value.

Read More →
Graphic showing a winding road and directional signpost labeled “electric,” “propane,” “biofuels,” and “natural gas” beneath the headline “Where Is EPA Funding Headed?” with School Bus Fleet logo.
Alternative FuelsJune 11, 2026

What the EPA’s Updated Clean School Bus Program Means for Fleet Electrification in 2026 and Beyond

A guide to the EPA’s evolving school bus grants, including how the Trump administration changed funding priorities and how school districts can prepare for future bus purchases.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Billy Murphy of Power Innovations International speaks at ACT Expo in front of a display featuring EV charging equipment and a Blue Bird school bus graphic. A text overlay reads “Simplified EV Charging.”
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettJune 3, 2026

A Solution Helping School Buses Charge Without Major Infrastructure Upgrades

Power Innovations International dishes on its EV charging technology designed to reduce infrastructure barriers, improve reliability, and support V2G applications for school bus fleets.

Read More →