Case Study: Making School Buses More Efficient
Within only two months, Freeman School District saw an efficiency gain of 7%. If continued annually, they would save $9,800 per year.
2/9/20261 min read
Case Study: BetterFill Use in Freeman School District School Buses
Background
In Washington state, rural diesel school bus use is estimated to be up to 9 MPG, based on older diesel engine technology. Freeman School District uses approximately 20,000 gallons of diesel each year. During the 2025 spring school year, the school tested BetterFill, a UN Certified fuel additive already in use all over Texas, to validate fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs. This case study explores the results of using BetterFill in two Freeman School Buses.
Testing Process
Freeman School District tracks fuel economy diligently per bus. Testing required the fleet manager to treat two separate buses each time they were filled with the proper dosage of BetterFill. After a two month trial, Freeman saw a 7% increase in fuel economy from 8.3mpg to 8.9mpg. The second bus went from 8.5mpg to 11.6mpg, but, given the magnitude of the benefit, we focus on the more realistic 7% gain.
Results
Efficiency Gain: After a 2 month test, they reported a 7% efficiency gain.
Annual Projections:
Annual savings: $9,800
Reduced emissions: 25 tons of CO2
Freeman School District spends $140,000 on fuel annually. A 7% reduction in fuel usage would save the district $9,800 annually.
Conclusion
The BetterFill trial at Freeman School District demonstrated measurable improvements in fuel efficiency and cost savings, along with a significant reduction in emissions. This case study supports the value of BetterFill for school bus fleets seeking operational and environmental benefits.
See our other case study using BetterFill during an agricultural wheat harvest in Eastern Washington.
