Survey: Propane, hybrid use grows among district bus fleets
Finding is among the results of SBF’s School District Survey, which also shows an increase in budget cutbacks for busing and more districts reporting driver shortage.
More school districts are running hybrid or propane buses than they were a year and half ago, according to SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s latest School District Survey.
When asked what types of fuels they use, 7 percent of respondents said that they are running some hybrid-electric buses, while 5 percent said that they are running some propane buses.
The last time SBF asked that question (Maintenance Survey, March 2009), each of those alternative fuels was in use by only 2 percent of respondents.
The new School District Survey also showed an increase in budget cutbacks for busing and found that more districts have some degree of school bus driver shortage compared to last year.
To see the full results of the survey, turn to pg. 26 in SBF’s November 2010 issue.
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 →