Propane Conventional School Bus
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Propane Bus Quiets Ride say Students and Drivers

 

Propane powered Blue Bird Vision 

Download propane bus PowerPoint presentation.
Download Blue Bird propane bus Vision brochure.

Potential fuel savings with Federal Excise Tax Credit

 

Factor

Diesel 1.35

Vision LPI: .90

Fuel/MPG

9.9 MPG

6.6 MPG

Annual Mileage

15,000

15,000

Gallons Used

1,515

2,273

Price/Gallon

2.75

1.71

Annual Cost

$4166.25

$3886.83

Federal Excise Tax Credit of .50/gal

 

$1136.50

Net Annual Fuel Cost

$4166.25

$2750.33

Annual Advantage Propane

 

$1136.50

Annual cost per mile driven

$0.28

$0.18

20 year bus life

$83,325

$55,000

Advantage Propane

 

$28,325

 

Safety features of Propane

Lowest flammability range of any fossil fuel

Fitted with safety devices and shut-off valves that function automatically should the fuel line rupture

Propane tanks, constructed from carbon steel and located between frame rails for added protection. 20 times more puncture resistant than conventional fuel tanks

Efficiency

Fully integrated system, designed in complete harmony with the OEM Engine (GM 8.1L) to ensure maximum efficiency

Delivers propane to the engine in a liquid form (as compared to vapor systems of the past) resulting in lower intake valve temperatures and denser air-fuel charges.

More complete combustion  

Performance 

325 hp @ 4000 rpm; Torque of 450 lb. ft @ 2800 rpm

Most drivers report that Propane-Powered Vision exceeds performance expectations in terms of steep hill climbs, cold starts, passing gear, and quiet ride

Historical Use of Propane 

Used as a commercial motor fuel for more than 80 years

More than 190,000 propane-powered vehicles in use in the United States; approximately 60,000 propane vehicles operating in Canada

The Denton Independent School District (Denton, TX) operates 139 school buses; 52% are propane fueled: 44 are the new blue Bird propane powered Visions purchased September 2008. They reported anannual fuel and maintenance savings of $692,900 in 2009 due to the use of propane.

Gary Menke, Director of Purchasing, USD 501 Topeka, and Peggy Clark, Transportation Director, USD 501 Topeka, say that after a year - they still love the propane-powered Blue Bird Vision.

"My drivers love it because it's quiet and that creates a calmer environment for everyone. Our students love it for the same reason - quiet ride, and the air conditioning really cools the bus well. My mechanics love it because it has so few maintenance issues." - Peggy Clark, Transportation Director, USD 501 Topeka. 

Read more in October 2010 issue of busTALK.


Features 

 Seating Capacity  Multiple floor plans from 42 to 77 passenger
 Wheelbase  189" / 217" / 238" / 252" / 273"
 Engine  GM 8.1L with Clean FUEL USA's LPI (Liquid Propane Injection) System
325 HP @4000 RMM; Torque 450 lb ft. @2800 RPM
 Transmission  Allison PTS 2300 Series
 Axle Suspension  Hendrickson "Softek" suspension. Front axle 12,000#.
 Rear axle 21,000@; variable rate, flat leaf springs.
 Fuel Tank  ASME certified steel fuel tank located between frame rails in rear overhang;
range is comparable a 60 gallon diesel tank.

 

Does Your Fuel Offer A 50 Cent Per Gallon Tax Rebate?

 

  • Offers a safe, attractive and viable fuel choice amidst rising diesel fuel prices
  • Lowers operating & maintenance costs.
  • Offers U.S.A. customers a tax rebate of 50 cents per gallon of propane
  • Meets EPA emission requirements for the 2010 production year.
  • Builds off an established United States & Canadian propane distribution network of 15,000 outlets
  • Adds to the more than 10 million vehicles currently operating on propane.
  • System complies with NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code.
  • Meets CMVSS 301.1 Fuel System Integrity for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
    Propane engine Blue Bird Propane Bus 
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