Stimulus funds to help switch buses to CNG
With a grant provided through the EPA, a new program from NAPT will help school districts take older diesel buses and extend their life by converting them to run on compressed natural gas.
With a grant provided through the EPA, a new program from NAPT will help school districts take older diesel buses and extend their life by converting them to run on compressed natural gas, as the buses shown here do.
ALBANY, N.Y. — A new program from the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) will help school districts convert older buses to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).
The grant for the program was provided through the U.S. EPA from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
The National School Bus Equity Investment Lease Program, as it has been dubbed, aims to help qualified districts take diesel school buses that are scheduled for retirement and cost-effectively extend their life by converting them to CNG.
Program officials say it can save districts as much as 50 percent on the interest rate to finance the cost of repowering a school bus with a new CNG engine.
The program manages the sourcing for conversion to CNG, the utilization of EPA funds and the lease program. It also works with participating districts to monitor monthly fuel consumption and resultant emissions reductions.
For more information, and to find out about qualifying for the program, go to www.schoolbusmoney.org.
More Alternative Fuels
Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric Bus Rollouts, Bidirectional Charging & Propane Growth
See which fleets are adding electric and propane school buses as districts and operators invest in charging infrastructure, bidirectional technology, and alternative-fuel expansion.
Read More →
Nobody Told Diesel Prices They Were Supposed to Come Down
With diesel prices surging, school bus fleets have new reason to stress-test fuel costs, consider diversification, and calculate what each route really costs to operate.
Read More →
Why Gasoline School Buses Are Making a Comeback
Gasoline is gaining ground in full-size school buses. See how today’s options stack up against diesel on cost, maintenance, emissions, performance, and more.
Read More →
EPA Opens $180M DERA Funding Round for Diesel Upgrades
The 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program seeks applications from eligible organizations to accelerate the retirement of legacy diesel vehicles.
Read More →
The Secret Life of an Electric School Bus Battery
Batteries change throughout years of daily routes, but degradation doesn’t necessarily mean the end. Here’s what operators should know about performance, safety, and second life.
Read More →
CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility
The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.
Read More →
Alt-Fuel Moves: New Buses, Charging Hubs & Real-World EV Testing
Propane and electric school bus deployments continue to grow as districts add new vehicles, expand charging infrastructure, and gather more real-world operating data.
Read More →
Fewer Electric School Bus Models Reshape the U.S. Market
WRI’s latest buyer’s guide points to a consolidating electric school bus market, but fewer options may reflect a maturing industry rather than fewer meaningful choices for school bus operators.
Read More →
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 →
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 →