home icon

Evolving Driver Comfort and Safety

Upgrading the C2’s User-Experience for a New Era of Drivers

Student safety is in the hands of school bus drivers. The more comfortable and confident drivers feel, the more safely they drive.

For the last 20 years, Thomas Built Buses has supplied the industry with advanced electronics engineered with safety prioritized in every detail. Our Saf-T-Liner® C2 was designed…

Powering Up Your EV Infrastructure: Working with Our eConsultants

As electric school buses continue to gain momentum across the U.S. through federal incentives like the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, school districts are looking for help in transitioning their traditional bus fleets to electric, including building out electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

Building and implementing charging infrastructure can be a daunting task, with challenges…

Advancing School Bus Safety: Embracing Technology & Innovation to Safeguard Students

From Kendra Eads, VP of Engineering and Technology at Thomas Built Buses

As we gear up for the back-to-school season, it’s important to recognize the significant advancements in school bus technology that enhance the safety and well-being of our students during their daily journeys.

At Thomas Built Buses, our commitment to safety is evident in our mission and…

(Em)Powering a Greener Future: Logan-Magnolia Community Schools' Journey with Electric School Bus Infrastructure Consulting

In today’s educational landscape, schools across the country are making strides towards embracing sustainable solutions.

A prime example of this is unfolding at Logan-Magnolia Community Schools in Iowa, under the leadership of Kurtis Hinkel, the grounds and transportation director.

Fueled by the vision of transitioning their fleet to electric, the school district recently…

School Bus Engine Life Can Have Significant Budgetary Implications

When purchasing a new school bus, many factors go into determining the financial implications of that new vehicle, including capital, fuel and maintenance costs, as well as financing and even resale value.

 

One consideration that often is overlooked when purchasing a new school bus is the overall engine life.  Most fleet managers know that a healthy engine is one of the key things to look for in the purchase of a used school bus. Why?  Because engine replacement can be a major hit on maintenance budgets. And, of course, engine life is key for new school buses, as well. Not all engines are alike, and the engine life of alternative fuel engines can vary drastically from clean-diesel engines. Some alternatively fueled engines like propane or gasoline may need to be replaced two to three times during the normal lifecycle of a school bus. Clean-diesel engines, on the other hand, are built to last 15-20 years.

The difference in engine life lies in how engines are built.  Clean-diesel engines are built from the ground up specifically for the medium- and heavy-duty/commercial-grade market.  They are built to be durable, to withstand higher torque and operate at higher compression ratios.  The result is engines that are powerful, proven, reliable and longer-lasting than propane or gasoline counterparts.

Conversely, most propane and gasoline engines are light duty engines running in a medium-duty application. They just aren’t built to withstand the rigors of the school bus industry, so they must run at a much a higher RPM in order to achieve maximum power. This results in faster wear and a shorter engine life.

Engine life and durability are two of the primary reasons that clean-diesel is still the industry standard, with the lowest total cost of ownership when all factors are considered. In fact, nearly 90 percent of large school buses run on clean-diesel power. And clean-diesel engines are only getting more efficient, durable and easier to maintain.

New clean-diesel engines hitting the market this year, like the much-anticipated Detroit™ DD5™ and DD8™, will represent the best in fuel efficiency, durability, reliability, serviceability and technology/telematics in the industry.  Clean-diesel emissions at the tailpipe today are 90 percent cleaner than they were in 2006 and are comparable to or even cleaner than other fuel types, based on EPA regulated emissions standards.

So when it’s time for your next school bus purchase, ask about engine durability.  A proven and durable engine is the key to an efficient and cost-effective school bus.

To learn more about the many benefits of clean-diesel school buses visit our Facts About Fuels page.

Sign Up to Receive News and Updates*
* We utilize the MailChimp platform to manage emails. View the MailChimp Privacy Statement.