Over 16,000 alternative-fueled school buses deployed since 2012
FORT VALLEY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech have extended their alternative-fueled
school bus partnership through 2025. Since 2012, the relationship
between the school bus manufacturer and alternative-fuel system
manufacturer has resulted in 1,300 districts operating more than 16,000
propane, compressed natural gas and gasoline-powered school buses.
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“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
Corporation. “Together we have firmly established Blue Bird’s propane,
gasoline and CNG solutions as the undisputed school bus leader in
alternative fuels. 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.”
The collaboration has brought clean and affordable innovation to student
transportation:
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The first and only school bus manufacturer to offer propane, gasoline
and CNG from one common engine architecture, simplifying service and
maintenance.
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The first and only propane engine in class 4-7 vehicles certified to
the optional low nitrogen oxide (NOx) level of 0.05 grams per brake
horsepower per hour – 75 percent cleaner than other manufacturers.
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The first 100-gallon extended-range propane fuel tank.
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The first to market a large school bus powered by a gasoline engine in
over two decades.
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The first to achieve the Environmental Protection Agency and
California Air Resources Board’s 2018 heavy duty-onboard diagnostics
certification for its propane engine.
“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.”
The two companies will continue to invest in technology to bring new
products to the school transportation market, including even greater NOx
reductions for the Blue Bird Vision Propane and CNG products.
About Blue Bird Corporation:Blue Bird (Nasdaq: BLBD) is the
leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more
than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately
180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Bird’s longevity and reputation
in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue
Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular
focus on the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses
and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body
production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird
is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety,
product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability.
In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel
applications with its propane-powered, electric and compressed natural
gas-powered school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two
facilities in Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture
operates a manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada.
Service and after-market parts are distributed from Blue Bird’s parts
distribution center located in Delaware, Ohio. For more information on
Blue Bird’s complete line of buses, visit www.blue-bird.com.
About ROUSH CleanTech: ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of
alternative fuel vehicle technology, is a division of ROUSH Enterprises
based in Livonia, Michigan. ROUSH CleanTech designs, engineers,
manufactures and installs propane autogas fuel system technology for
medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles, and Type A and Type C Blue Bird
school buses, and compressed natural gas fuel systems for Type C Blue
Bird school buses. As a Ford QVM-certified alternative fuel vehicle
manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech delivers economical, clean and
domestically produced fueling options for fleets across North America.
Learn more at ROUSHcleantech.com
or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.
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TSN Communications
Gregg Voss, 224-542-9530
[email protected]
Source: Blue Bird Corporation