Propane school buses have enjoyed tremendous national adoption in just the last five years alone, and that should only increase with the passage into law of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the new $1.2 trillion law to improve America’s infrastructure.
There were about 8,000 propane school buses operating in the United States in 2016. Since then that number has more than tripled to 22,000, which transports 1.3 million kids to school daily. There’s been a 960% growth in the number of propane autogas school buses on the road in the U.S since 2012.
Today, electric and propane school buses are the two primary ways school districts, private schools and school bus contractors can achieve the goal of ensuring children have a safe, clean and healthy ride to school.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes over $9 billion in funding for fueling infrastructure and clean vehicles including propane, which is identified in the legislation as an emerging alternative fuel.
- Section 71101: This provision is called the Clean School Bus Program, providing $2.5 billion for the purchase of low- and zero-emission school buses, including propane and electric.
- Section 11401: This provision instructs the Secretary of Transportation to create a grant program for the installation of fueling and charging infrastructure for alternatively fueled vehicles along the nation’s highway system.