LISLE, Ill. — The new CE Series propane school bus is now available for order, IC Bus announced on Monday.

The bus, which was unveiled at the National Association for Pupil Transportation trade show in November, is powered by the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter propane engine.

According to IC Bus, the CE series PSI heavy-duty propane engine is designed to be a cleaner, quieter and more user-friendly alternative to diesel that doesn’t sacrifice power, torque or durability.

“The CE Series bus was purpose-built for the school bus industry, and we’re proud of the advancements we continue to make in order to meet our high standards and those of our customers for safety, quality and environmental impact,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager of IC Bus.

The PSI 8.8-liter propane engine is engineered to deliver the highest torque at the lowest speed, company officials said. This design reportedly benefits stop-and-start applications to allow immediate acceleration after stops and greater hill-climbing capability.

According to IC Bus, the design also eliminates excessive noise, heat and vibration associated with constant engine revving, which in turn reduces engine wear, oil usage and maintenance.