Lower levels of nitrogen emissions have been detected from school buses fuelled with propane than from those using diesel, according to a study by the West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions. The buses were tested at various times during 2018 on a selection of bus routes. On a stop-and-go route, nitrogen emissions were up to 34 times higher from diesel engines than from those using propane fuel, while a city route recorded emissions up to 19 times higher. Diesel fuel is more expensive per mile traveled in urban areas, but it also burns cleaner because it’s not as smog-producing.
Lower levels of nitrogen emissions have been detected from school buses fuelled with propane than from those using diesel, according to a study by the West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions. The buses were tested at various times during 2018 on a selection of bus routes. On a stop-and-go route, nitrogen emissions were up to 34 times higher from diesel engines than from those using propane fuel, while a city route recorded emissions up to 19 times higher. On the stop-and-go route, propane fuel cut nitrogen emissions by 96% and CO2 emissions by 13%.