Propane-powered vehicles perform reliably in Ohio's cold winters, starting easily and cutting emissions and fuel costs.
Westerville City Schools reduce emissions and fuel costs with propane-powered buses—making a clean, sustainable investment in student transport.
Discover how propane school buses enhance student health by reducing exposure to diesel exhaust and cutting air pollution at the curb.
Across Ohio, schools are investing in propane school buses to lower fuel costs and minimize harmful emissions, creating a cleaner and safer ride for students.
School districts are making the switch to propane school buses to lower fuel expenses, improve air quality, and gain operational benefits. Learn why propane is the smart choice for student transportation.
| Chassis | 7.3L Version | GVWR | 0.05 NOx |
|---|---|---|---|
|
E-350 |
Premium |
10,050 |
N/A |
|
E-350 |
Economy |
10,050 |
N/A |
|
Economy |
E-450 |
14,000 |
N/A |
|
Premium |
E-450 |
14,200 |
Yes |
|
E-450 |
Premium |
14,500 |
Yes |
| Chevy/GMC | Ford |
|---|---|
|
32 Gallons |
40 Gallons |
$140,000
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47 usable gallons
67 usable gallons
93 usable gallons
$140,000
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| Propane | Gasoline | Diesel | Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chemical Structure |
C3H8 (majority) and C4H10 (minority) |
C4 to C12 and Ethanol ≤ to 10% |
C8 to C25 |
N/A |
|
Fuel Material (feedstocks) |
Fats and oils from sources such as soybeans, waste cooking oil, animal fats, and rapeseed |
Crude Oil |
Crude Oil |
Natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, hydro, solar, and small percentages of geothermal and biomass |
|
Gasoline or Diesel Gallon Equivalent (GGE or DGE) |
1 gal = 0.74 GGE 1 gal = 0.66 DGE |
1 gal = 1.00 GGE 1 gal = 0.88 DGE |
1 gal = 1.12 GGE 1 gal = 1.00 DGE |
1 kWh = 0.030 GGE 1 kWh = 0.027 DGE |
|
Energy Comparison (GGE = Gasoline Gallon Equivalent) |
gallon of propane has 73% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the lower energy density of propane. |
1 gallon of gasoline has 97%–100% of the energy in 1 GGE. Standard fuel is 90% gasoline, 10% ethanol. |
1 gallon of diesel has 113% of the energy in 1 GGE due to the higher energy density of diesel fuel. |
A typical battery that is the same size as a gallon of gas (0.134 ft3), when used for transportation, can store 15.3% of the energy in 1 GGE. [6][7] |
|
Energy Content (lower heating value) |
84,250 Btu/gal (c) |
112,114– 116,090 Btu/gal (c) |
128,488 Btu/gal (c) |
3,414 Btu/kWh |
|
Energy Content (higher heating value) |
91,420 Btu/gal (c) |
120,388– 124,340 Btu/gal (c) |
138,490 Btu/gal (c) |
3,414 Btu/kWh |
|
Physical State |
Pressurized liquid (heavier than air as a gas) |
Liquid |
Liquid |
Electricity |
|
Cetane Number |
N/A |
N/A |
40–55 (d) |
N/A |
|
Pump Octane Number |
105 (g) |
84–93 (f) |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Flash Point |
-100° to -150°F (j) |
45°F (j) |
165°F (j) |
N/A |
|
Autoignition Temperature |
850° to 950°F (j) |
495°F (j) |
~600°F (j) |
N/A |
|
Maintenance Issues |
|
|
Lubricity is improved over that of conventional low sulfur diesel fuel. For more maintenance information see, the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines—Fifth Edition. (d) |
|
|
Energy Security Impacts |
Approximately half of U.S. LPG is derived from oil, but no oil is imported specifically for LPG production. |
Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l) |
Manufactured using oil. Transportation accounts for approximately 30% of total U.S. energy needs and 70% of petroleum consumption. (l) |
Electricity is produced domestically from a wide range of sources, including through coal-fired power plants and renewable sources, making it a versatile fuel. |
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| Fuel Type | School Buses |
|---|---|
|
Propane |
$140,000 |
|
Electric |
$410,000 |
|
Diesel |
$138,000 |
|
Diesel HEV |
$160,000 |
|
CNG |
$130,000 |
|
Gasoline |
N/A |
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| Fuel Type | Fleet Size | Total Hours Mowed/Year/Mower | Propane Mower Purchase Amount/Mower | Avg. Price/Gallon | Fuel Cost Per Hour of Mowing | Fuel Cost per 1 year | Fuel Cost per 3 year | Fuel Cost per 5 year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Propane |
10 |
1,000 |
$10,500 |
$1.67 |
$22.71 |
$22,712 |
$68,136 |
$113,560 |
|
Diesel |
10 |
1,000 |
$10,500 |
$4.26 |
$38.34 |
$38,340 |
$115,020 |
$191,700 |
|
Gasoline |
10 |
1,000 |
$10,500 |
$3.61 |
$46.93 |
$46,930 |
$140,790 |
$234,650 |
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| Fuel Type | Light Duty | School Buses | Paratransit | Single Unit Short-Haul Truck | Single Unit Long-Haul Truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Propane |
$60,000 |
$140,000 |
$48,000 |
$104,000 |
$89,000 |
|
Electric |
$93,000 |
$410,000 |
$93,000 |
$250,000 |
$185,000 |
|
Diesel |
$63,000 |
$138,000 |
$53,000 |
$90,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Gasoline |
$52,000 |
N/A |
$42,000 |
$90,000 |
$75,000 |
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Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Mini Bus, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.
143 short tons
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Examples of a Class 2A truck include:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
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Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.
143 short tons
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Example Vehicles:
Mini Bus, Paratransit Vans/Buses, City Delivery Trucks, Ambulances.
143 short tons
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Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Transit Vans, Delivery Vans, Beverage Trucks, Large Walk-ins, Refrigerated Vans, Semi Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Examples of a Class 2A truck include:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
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Example Vehicles:
Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Transit Vans/Buses, Landscape Trucks, Bucket Trucks, Garbage Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Examples of a Class 2A truck include:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
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Example Vehicles:
Sedans, Crossovers, Hatchbacks Full size pickups, Crew-size Pickups, SUVs, Utilities Vans, Paratransit Vans/Buses, Ambulances, Fire Trucks.
$50,000
3.4 years
20.13 short tons
Important Note:
Class 2 is subdivided into 2A (6,001-8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501-10,000 pounds).
Examples of a Class 2A truck include:
Examples of a Class 2B truck include:
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