FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird’s newest school bus will run on a fuel that is currently not associated with large school buses: gasoline.

On Tuesday, the OEM revealed details on its new gasoline-powered Vision Type C school bus, which will be available in 2016. The bus will utilize a Ford 6.8L V10 gasoline engine.

While some current small school buses run on gasoline, there has not been a gasoline-powered Type C school bus offered by major OEMs in recent years.

According to Blue Bird officials, the gasoline-powered Vision is designed to make ownership more affordable and to provide easier maintenance. The bus uses much of the same technology and engine architecture as Blue Bird’s propane-powered Vision.

The new gasoline model will come with a five-year/unlimited-mileage powertrain warranty.

“With an attractive upfront price, Blue Bird’s new gasoline-powered Vision bus will provide a very affordable option to customers and keep the total cost of ownership as low as possible,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird. “Maintenance and service of this proven and modern gasoline engine is simpler for technicians, while the bus is powerful and quiet to drive.”

Blue Bird’s partnership with Ford and ROUSH CleanTech, the team that brought the propane-powered Vision to the industry, enabled Blue Bird to produce a Type C gasoline bus with the same 6.8L V10 engine and 6R-140 transmission used in more than 5,500 propane Vision buses.

“Ford Component Sales is excited to continue to partner with Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech in creating innovative products,” Ford executive Jamy Rankin said. “We started with our class-leading propane engine, and now our gasoline engine will also be powering Blue Bird’s Vision bus.”