There may be additional costs for purchasing new buses to meet the credit intent. If added maintenance is required, this also can lead to increased costs.
Carefully consider the pros and cons of such a plan, and do the appropriate research to determine which alternative fuel is best suited for the existing fleet. Factors may include availability as well as efficiency and maintenance implications for the vehicles.
To comply with this option, schools must develop a plan for 20% of school buses and maintenance vehicles to be low-emitting and fuel-efficient, or use natural gas, propane or biodiesel.
The costs of installing and maintaining alternative fueling stations should be weighed against the anticipated use of the facilities and the environmental benefits that can accrue from it.
Providing alternative fueling stations may have significant cost implications, though the popularity of alternative-fuel vehicles is slowly working to make them more cost-competitive.
For liquid fuels like biodiesel and ethanol, provide storage and safe handling procedures for fueling stations. Research a variety of fuels that may be made available to the project occupants.
Project teams should carefully consider available technologies and different fuel sources before installing fueling stations. There are also legal, technical, and safety issues to take into account and deal with early in the process:
Research local code requirements and standards that may apply to installing fueling stations on your project site, including building, fire and electrical codes. Also look into relevant equipment, upkeep, and maintenance of refueling stations.
