Fuel Fact Check: Propane Autogas School Buses Are Safe

When deciding on safe options for school transportation, some decision-makers don’t consider propane autogas because they are under the impression the fuel is not safe. What they don’t know is propane is one of the safest options available. Not only is it safe for the students who ride propane buses to school, but it is safe for the communities in which the buses drive.

Propane autogas has been used for over a century to power vehicles. According to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, propane is a clean, safe and emissions-reducing alternative fuel. It is a nontoxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive fuel classified as a non-contaminant by the EPA. If released from a vehicle, propane poses no threat to soil or groundwater.

In addition, weather does not impact how propane school buses run. They start up and operate reliably in all weather conditions, from the hottest days to as cold as -40 degrees or more. The ROUSH CleanTech system is also designed with a thermal management feature. If the system is exposed to extreme heat due to the result of an accident or another cause, it adjusts to a vent cycle to manage pressure and prevent tank integrity from being compromised.