FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. was recently presented with the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute's “Oxygen Award” during the National Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference.

The company was recognized for its outstanding leadership in the alternative fuels and vehicles industry by providing an affordable and eco-friendly school bus — the Propane-Powered Vision.

“Blue Bird is honored to be recognized for our continued efforts in promoting and offering safe and environmentally friendly school bus technology,” said Roger Howsmon, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales. “The Propane-Powered Vision promotes cleaner air not only for the students our buses transport, but the effects transcend beyond to benefit the entire community. This bus is a win-win situation for all.”

The Vision is the first and only full-size propane-powered school bus offered by a major school bus manufacturer that reduces oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compound emissions by as much as 83 to 99 percent, the company said.

Blue Bird Product Management Director Rusty Mitchell, who was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the company, added, “The Propane-Powered Vision is an affordable alternative fuel solution and a viable option to reduce fuel costs for school districts.”

A growing number of school districts are benefitting from operating propane-powered fleets due to recent stimulus money, tax incentives and grants focused on alternative-fuel vehicles. Within the U.S. there is a 50-cent-per-gallon of propane federal tax rebate available in which some districts have received upwards of $220,000 in rebates, the company said.