8.0L PIthon engine to power Thomas Built propane bus

Powertrain Integration (PI) names its 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine the PIthon. It has been selected as the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.

Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor

May 9, 2014

8.0L PIthon engine to power Thomas Built propane bus — Powertrain Integration's 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine, dubbed the PIthon, is the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2.

1 min to read

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Powertrain Integration (PI) has named its 8.0L V8 propane autogas engine the PIthon.

The unit has been selected as the engine platform for Thomas Built Buses' new propane-powered Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus, which is expected to go into full production in late May or early June.

PI President Robert Pachla explained the meaning of the PIthon engine name: "Pythons are strong, powerful snakes that constrict their prey; PIthon squeezes every bit of power, every penny of savings out of operators' precious fuel and maintenance dollars."

The PIthon is the result of more than four years of development and testing to OEM standards. Company officials said that it is designed to fill a gap for big block engines in the medium-duty on-highway market.

According to PI, PIthon-equipped vehicle weights average about 500 pounds less than comparable diesel chassis.

Topics:engines propane Thomas Built Buses Maintenance Management Alternative Fuels

More Alternative Fuels

Front view of an IC Bus next generation electric CE Series bus driving on a suburban street.

Alternative Fuels•by Elora Haynes•February 27, 2026

EPA Opens Clean School Bus Program RFI, 2024 Rebates Halted

The EPA will open a 45-day comment period and is planning a March 3 webinar as it reshapes Clean School Bus funding for 2026.

An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of InCharge Energy employees working on the management system platform.

Alternative Fuels•by Elora Haynes•February 23, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Funding Boosts & Charging Innovations

Check out some of the latest moves where alternative fuels and school buses intersect, including electric bus and charging deployments, new funding opportunities, and a new management system.

School Bus Fleet graphic with green theme and moss sphere image, headline “Greenhouse Gas Standards Update,” subhead “EPA Officially Repeals 2009 Endangerment Finding,” and photo of a yellow school bus driving away.

Alternative Fuels•by Staff and News Reports•February 18, 2026

EPA Officially Rolls Back Federal GHG Standards

The federal administration called its 2009 Endangerment Finding rescission "the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history." It eliminates greenhouse gas emission standards for all vehicles and engines for model years 2012 to 2027 and beyond.

An orgnge, white, and black graphic with a black and white image ofpropane school buses.

Alternative Fuels•by Elora Haynes•January 30, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Product Innovations & Funding Outlooks

Check out some of the latest moves where alternative fuels and school buses intersect, including electric and propane bus deployments, new EV products, and an update from CARB.

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.