Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Va, will purchase up to four CNG-powered school buses next year, using a $181,000 federal grant to offset the additional cost of the buses and fueling infrastructure.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is part of a pilot program administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to encourage local governments to switch from diesel fuel to natural gas to power their vehicles.

Charlottesville began purchasing natural gas sedans and pickups in 1997, and recently bought  a Honda Civic and a Toyota Prius.