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Consultants say propane shows lower lifetime costs under current assumptions; electric offers greenhouse‑gas advantages
Summary
JLL presented an early total cost‑of‑ownership comparison showing propane (including renewable propane) often appears cheaper under the consultants' assumptions, while electric buses show lower lifetime greenhouse‑gas emissions; presenters cautioned results depend heavily on local fuel, price and infrastructure assumptions.
Consultant firm JLL presented preliminary total cost‑of‑ownership (TCO) estimates for electric, diesel and propane school buses at the June 17 PGCPS work group meeting. Jamari Bates and Gabriel Marti said electric buses have higher upfront sticker prices but lower lifetime operating and maintenance costs, while propane (regular or renewable) can appear cheaper across the lifetime in JLL's modelling assumptions.
"Electric school buses are a newer technology, have a higher sticker price," said Gabriel Marti, who added that electric buses' lower fuel and maintenance costs can offset higher purchase prices over time. Marti also emphasized that TCO outcomes are sensitive to assumptions such as fuel prices, useful life (the consultants used a 12‑year bus life assumption), and infrastructure costs. JLL estimated per‑port high‑power charger installation at roughly $30,000 under one scenario and noted make‑ready costs vary substantially by site and ownership model.
JLL reviewed financing and ownership models including full purchase, leases, infrastructure‑as‑a‑service and long‑term fuel supply agreements for propane. The consultants recommended further validation of assumptions with district operations to produce a more definitive recommendation. Committee members requested an additional modelling pass using PGCPS‑specific routing, replacement rates and budget constraints.
