H-GAC’s Houston-Clean Cities Coalition members, including representatives from Klein and Spring ISDs and H-GAC’s Clean Vehicles recently heard a presentation on the newly developed ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas engine available in class 4-7 vehicles and Blue Bird Type C buses certified to the optional low nitrogen oxide (NOx) level .05 g/bhp-hr. These new certified propane engines are 75 percent cleaner than the current emissions standard. ROUSH CleanTech said it has begun installing the new low NOx engines in Ford commercial vehicles and Blue Bird Vision propane school buses with model year 2017 engines.

Recent research has shown that diesel not only performs significantly worse than alternative fuels, it has also caused greater mechanical issues in school buses that use them. Houston-Clean Cities is encouraging ISDs to consider the use of alternative fuel engines for lower NOx emissions and lower maintenance costs.