KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Tuesday, IC Bus will showcase its new CE Series school bus, powered by the Power Solutions International (PSI) 8.8-liter LP propane engine, at the National Association for Pupil Transportation trade show.

Purpose-built for the school bus industry, the CE Series with the PSI propane engine is designed to provide diesel-like performance with higher torque at lower engine speeds, according to IC Bus. It will be available for order for the 2015-16 school year.

“Our customers asked for a better propane fuel choice for the market and we answered,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager of IC Bus. “We’re proud to demonstrate this new school bus at the premier school transportation conference in the nation. Our IC Bus CE Series with PSI’s 8.8-liter LP engine will be the first school bus specifically engineered to run on propane without sacrificing power, performance or durability.”

The PSI 8.8-liter engine is engineered to deliver the highest torque at the lowest speed, company officials said. With a rating of 565 lb.-ft. at 1,500 rpm, the high-torque, low-speed design benefits stop-and-start applications to allow immediate acceleration after stops and greater hill-climbing capability. This not only improves startability and gradability, but also eliminates excessive noise, heat and vibration associated with constant engine revving, according to the company.

“The PSI 8.8-liter engine is an economic, low-speed solution that boasts diesel-like performance, high durability, reduced noise and overall wear with all the benefits of alternative fuels,” said Gary Winemaster, chairman and CEO of PSI.

The CE Series school bus powered by propane also integrates the Allison 2500 transmission with FuelSense to maximize fuel economy.

IC Bus will manufacture CE Series school buses with propane out of its school bus assembly plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deliveries will begin in summer 2015.