Blue Bird Panel at ACT Expo Touts Benefits of Mixed-Energy Fleets
At ACT Expo, Blue Bird moderated a panel showcasing how propane and electric buses can save money and reduce emissions for school and commercial fleets.
- 71%
- $0.27
- over $1 million
What Happened
Blue Bird returned to ACT Expo this year, joining transportation leaders to discuss the advantages of mixed-energy fleets. The company offers diesel, gasoline, propane, and electric buses, and a panel moderated by Blue Bird's alternative fuels manager Steve Whaley featured fleet operators from Bimbo Bakeries USA and Bibb County Public Schools. They discussed how propane and other alternative fuels improve operational flexibility, reduce emissions, and lower costs.
over $1 millionUSD
Fuel savings of $0.27 per mile and maintenance savings of $0.23 per mile compared to diesel.
“The toughest part about the transition was taking the first step. Once you do it, it’s a win after that.”
Bimbo Bakeries USA, operating about 7,000 vehicles, has used propane since 2009 and expects 750 propane route trucks by year-end alongside a growing electric fleet. Panelists noted challenges like increased parts inventory and technician training for multiple fuel types, but said mechanics quickly adapted to propane diagnostics.
Why this matters
The panel shows that combining different fuel types—like propane and electric—gives fleets flexibility to match vehicles to routes, cutting fuel and maintenance costs while improving air quality.
Terms in This Story
- Propane autogas
- Propane used as a vehicle fuel, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- NOx emissions
- Nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to smog and respiratory problems.
- Duty cycle
- The typical operating pattern of a vehicle, including route length, stops, and load.
- Mixed-energy fleet
- A fleet that uses multiple fuel types, such as diesel, propane, and electric, to optimize performance and cost.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.