Deming School District Joins EPISD In Using Propane-Powered Buses

Deming Public Schools is joining other school districts around the country in using a propane-powered school bus.

Recently, the school district’s transportation director checked out a propane Blue Bird, which sells for $90,000 to $91,000 against an $85,000 price on a diesel-powered bus, according to The Deming Headlight.

Propane fuel is about $1.50 a gallon to maybe $3.18 and adjusted daily on diesel. There’s a 50-cent tax credit per gallon on propane fuel. There’s a current federal tax credit of $11,000 per vehicle for a propane bus. Read the full Deming Headlight article here.

The El Paso Independent School District has been using propane-powered school buses as part of its bus fleet for more than 20 years. Of its 306 school buses, 159 use propane, 86 use diesel and 66 use unleaded.

According to a report in September, EPISD is in the process of purchasing an additional 35 propane special needs propane school buses. Also, using the MPO grant money through Texas Department of Transportation, they will acquire two additional propane school buses.

To date, EPISD has received a total of $521,149.15 in federal motor fuel tax credits.