Blue Bird Extends Fuel System Partnership With Roush CleanTech

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird and Roush CleanTech have extended their alternative-fuel school bus partnership through 2025, the companies announced on Thursday.

Since 2012, the relationship between the school bus manufacturer and the alternative-fuel system supplier has reportedly resulted in 1,300 school districts operating more than 16,000 propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), and gasoline-powered school buses.

“Partnering exclusively with ROUSH CleanTech and Ford Motor Company, Blue Bird has led the way in bringing clean and cost-effective alternative-fuel powered school buses to the student transportation industry,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “We are delighted to extend our special and exclusive partnership well into the next decade and look forward to bringing more exciting and differentiating products to the school bus market.”

Blue Bird and Roush offer propane, gasoline, and CNG from one common engine architecture. Their propane engine is certified to the optional low nitrogen oxide (NOx) level of 0.05 grams per brake horsepower per hour, and it has achieved the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board’s 2018 heavy-duty onboard diagnostics certification.

“We are committed to supporting the student transportation industry’s push away from diesel to a simpler, cleaner, and more cost-effective solution,” said Todd Mouw, president of Roush CleanTech. “This contract extension gives our customers and prospects the confidence that we are here for the long term and will help them achieve their economic and environmental sustainability goals into the future.”

Blue Bird and Roush said they will continue to invest in technology to bring new products to the school transportation market, including greater NOx reductions for the Blue Bird Vision Propane and CNG products.