HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has officially launched the Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG (compressed natural gas) school bus, the company announced on Thursday.

Orders can now be placed for Thomas Built’s first Type C school bus powered by CNG, plans for which were first announced in 2012.

The Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG utilizes the Cummins Westport ISB6.7 G 6.7-liter natural gas engine and an Allison 2000 Series transmission. The new bus is CARB-certified and exceeds EPA 2013 emissions requirements, according to Thomas Built.

“Since we launched the Saf-T-Liner HDX CNG 20 years ago, we’ve seen how efficient and economical CNG can be for our customers,” said Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “We are pleased to take our ever-popular C2 model and upfit it to be used with compressed natural gas for the many school districts which are looking for a lower-priced, cleaner, and increasingly abundant fuel supply.”

Thomas Built’s alt-fuel vehicle lineup also includes the Saf-T-Liner C2 Propane, Saf-T-Liner HDX CNG, Minotour Propane, and Minotour CNG.

Several districts — including North Kansas City School District and Blue Springs R-IV School District in Missouri — have already committed to being among the first to purchase the new Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG school buses as they roll off the line. According to Thomas Built, orders are coming in now, and production is expected to begin next month.

For more information about the Saf-T-Liner C2 CNG, customers can contact their local Thomas Built Buses dealer.