Blue Bird, Roush CleanTech to offer low emission propane bus

Blue Bird Vision Propane buses now offer an ultra-low NOx level option that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board.

The 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) propane engine was developed in partnership with Roush CleanTech. According Roush CleanTech, the engine is 90 percent cleaner than the EPA’s current 0.2 g/bhp-hr heavy-duty engine emissions standard. Reaching lower emission reduction levels allows school districts more opportunities for securing green-incentive grant money, as well as providing higher levels of funding based on the lowest levels of NOx of any non-electric vehicle, Blue Bird says.

“Our overarching goal is to continually build a better bus that provides a clean and safe environment for our students and communities,” says Mark Terry, chief commercial officer of Blue Bird.

Over the past year, NOx has received attention because of Volkswagen’s emissions settlement. The Environmental Mitigation Trust will fund actions that specifically reduce excess NOx emissions, and many states are including alternative fueled school buses in their funding models.

“Many districts will have access to funding to replace aging diesel models with clean-burning propane buses,” says Todd Mouw, president of Roush CleanTech. “A school district can operate 100 buses with 0.02 NOx engines and emit less NOx emissions than one diesel bus manufactures before 2007. Our nation has an abundant supply of propane; combine that with the economic and environmental benefits, and it’s no wonder that more than 850 school districts have already chosen propane buses.”

*Featured image courtesy of Blue Bird