Certified by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) at 0.02 g/bhp-hr, Blue Bird’s Vision Autogas buses are now available with an optional ultra-low NOx level option. Developed in their partnership with Roush CleanTech, this is the cleanest Autogas engine available for school buses on the market, with this version being 90% cleaner than the current emissions standard and 10 times cleaner than any non-Blue Bird LPG-powered school bus option available today.

Last year, Blue Bird released the first 0.05 g/bhp-hr NOx Ford 6.8L engine in their Vision Autogas buses, which at the time operated with the lowest NOx levels of any engine in Class 4-7 vehicles on the market. CARB has further encouraged engine manufacturers to reduce levels below the current mandatory EPA standard of 0.2 grams per brake horsepower hour (known as g/bhp-hr).

“To continue our tradition in alternative fuels leadership, we are proud to be the first manufacturer certified to this lowest NOx level in a Type C school bus. Our overarching goal is to continually build a better bus that provides a clean and safe environment for our students and communities,” said Mark Terry, chief commercial officer of Blue Bird.

The option of Ultra Low NOx opens more doors for additional grant incentives, as well as higher levels of funding, including those from the VW Settlement. Moreover, it helps reduce negative environmental impact and improve air quality, which is particularly important for children who suffer from asthma-related symptoms and other breathing issues.

“A school district can operate 100 buses with the 0.02 NOx engines and emit less NOx emissions than one diesel bus manufactured before 2007,” said Todd Mouw, president of ROUSH CleanTech. “Our nation has an abundant supply of LPG; combine that with the economic and environmental benefits, and it’s no wonder that more than 850 school districts have already chosen Autogas buses.”

Today almost 1 million students ride to school in more than 14,000 Autogas school buses around the U.S. If you want to know more, please visit this link.

29 August 2018